ARRANGEMENT OF THE ANNUAL REPORTS OF THE WAR DEPARTMENT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 1903.
Volume I. — Secretary of "War :
Chief of Staff.
Ad j utant-General.
Inspector-General.
Judge- Advocate-General.
Volume II. — Armament, Transportation and Supply:
Quartermaster-General.
Commissary-General.
Surgeon-General.
Paymaster-General.
Chief of Engineers, Military Affairs.
Chief of Ordnance.
Chief Signal Officer.
Chief of Artillery.
Board of Ordnance and Fortification.
Volume III. — Department and Division Commanders:
Department of California.
Department of the Colorado.
Department of the Columbia.
Department of Dakota.
Department of the East.
Department of the Lakes.
Department of the Missouri.
Department of Texas.
Division of the Philippines^—
1. Department of Luzon.
2. Department of the Visayas.
3. Department of Mindanao.
Volume IV. — Military Schools and Colleges; Record and Pension Office,
Military Parks, and Soldiers' Homes:
Military Academy —
1. Board of Visitors.
2. Superintendent.
Army War College.
General Service and Staff College.
School of Application for Cavalry and Field Artillery.
Artillery School.
School of Submarine Defense.
Chief of Record and Pension Office.
Commissioners of National Military Parks —
1. Chickamauga and Chattanooga.
2. Gettysburg.
3. Shiloh.
4. Vicksburg.
Soldiers' Home, District of Columbia —
1. Board of Commissioners.
2. Inspection of.
Inspection of National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers.
Volumes V-VIII. — Reports of the Philippine Commission, the Chief of
Bureau of Insular Affairs, and Acts of the Philippine
Commission.
Volumes IX-XIII. — Chief of Engineers, River and Harbor Improvements.
Volume XIV.— Report of Chief of Ordnance.
CO^TEJSTTS.
Paet I.
Page.
Annual report of the Philippine Commission 3
Report of the civil governor of the Philippine Islands 13
Conditions as to tranquillity 25
The use of scouts with the constabulary 33
Reconcentration 34
Bandolerismo statute 34
Dissolute Americans and vagrancy acts 37
Friars' lands and religious questions 38
Business conditions 47
Proposed official inspection and classification of hemp 50
Sugar. 51
Tobacco 54
The labor question 54
The effect of labor on the investment of capital 56
Health 57
Railroad and other construction 57
Schools 59X
The Philippine exhibit at the Louisiana Purchase Exposition, St. Louis.. 60
The census 62
Opium 63
Civil service 63
The coastwise laws 71
The insular revenues 73
Office of the insular purchasing agent 75
Provincial and municipal governments 76
The government of the Moro province 76
The Christian Filipino provinces 82 J
Municipalities 83
Justices of the peace 86
The city of Manila , 86
The port works 90
Executive bureau 91
Exhibit A. — Resolutions re rice — Executive order 64 — Acts 495, 517 —
Proclamation re quick-growing crops— Acts 817, 738, 786, 797, 828.. 93
Exhibit B. — Annual report of the insular purchasing agent for the
Philippine Islands for the year ending September 30, 1903 103
Exhibit C. — Report of the insular purchasing agent as to carabao, to
November 20, 1903 _ 127
Exhibit D. — Statement showing actual expenditures under the Con-
gressional relief fund 129
Exhibit E.— Reconcentration act, No. 781 140
i
II CONTENTS.
Report of the civil governor of the Philippine Islands— Continued. Page.
Executive bureau — Continued.
Exhibit F. — Testimony taken at Malacanan Palace February 16, 1902,
relative to the value of lands owned by the religious orders 142
Exhibit G. — Detailed and summarized statements of the valuations of
the friars' estates by Senor Villegas 199
Exhibit H. — Agreements to convey the friars' lands to the government
of the Philippine Islands 204
Exhibit I. — Report on religious controversies 213
Exhibit J. — Report of Hon. Luke E.Wright, Commissioner, as to hemp, 351
Exhibit K. — Petition of agricultural society of Panay and Negros for
abolition of duty on Philippine sugar 353
Exhibit L. — Statement of Colonel Colton, collector of customs at Iloilo,
as to necessity for removal of duty from Philippine sugar 355
Exhibit M. — Statement of Governor Wright as to necessity for action
by Congress in removing duty on sugar and tobacco 357
Exhibit N.— Report of an investigation made by James Ross, super-
visor of fiscals, concerning alleged sufferings and deaths among certain
laborers sent from Manila during the month of July, 1903, to work
on the Benguet road 358
Exhibit 0. — Report of Capt. A. R. Couden, commandant United States
Naval Station, Cavite, on Filipino labor employed at the navy-yard. 392
Exhibit P. — Proposed railway lines in the island of Luzon 399
Exhibit Q. — Annual report of the exposition board 406
Exhibit R. — Third annual report of the Philippine civil service board
for the year ended September 30, 1903 425
Exhibit S. — Acts passed by the legislative council of the Moro prov-
ince, Philippine Islands 480
Exhibit T. — Report of General Wood as to abrogation of Bates treaty. 489
Exhibit U. — Report of the municipal board of the city of Manila for
the fiscal year ended June 30, 1903 543
Exhibit A. — Report of the secretary of the board 563
Exhibit B. — Report of the disbursing officer 566
Exhibit C. — Report of the engineer in charge of the new water
system 573
Exhibit D. — Report of the city engineer, Manila, P. I 584
Exhibit E.— Report of chief of police 617
Exhibit F. — Report of the law department 631
Exhibit G. — Report of the chief of the fire department 637
Exhibit H. — Report of the department of assessments and collec-
tions 648
Exhibit I. — Report of the city superintendent of schools 667
Exhibit J. — Amended report of the municipal board 671
Exhibit V. — Charter Manila street railway 674
Exhibit W. — Report of the officer in charge of the improvement of
the port of Manila for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1903 682
Exhibit X. — Annual report of the executive secretary to the civil
governor 687
Exhibit Y. — Executive orders and proclamations, October 1, 1902, to
September 30, 1903 943
CONTENTS. Ill
Part II.
Page.
Report of the secretary of the interior _„.-.„.». 3
Organization of the department 3
The board of health for the Philippine Islands and the city of Manila 3
Rinderpest 4
Health work in Manila 4
Death rate of Manila 5
Infant mortality 5
Death rate in different districts of the city 6
Lack of medical attendance 6
Birth rate 6
Need of public bath houses and laundries 6
A new water supply an imperative necessity 7
Foul wells in Manila . 8
Sewer system 8
Plan for improving the esteros 9
Sunken lands in Manila 9
Disposal of garbage 10
Disposition of night soil 10
Congestion in populous districts 10
The floating population of Manila 11
Sanitary markets and unsanitary food shops 11
Need of a general hospital 12
Contagious-disease hospitals 13
Need of insane asylum 13
Leper colony , 13
Free dispensary 13
New morgue 13
Loss of property in Trozo fire 14
L^nhealthful condition of Bilibid prison 14
Board of health supported by Manila courts 14
Sanitary laws not satisfactory 14
Legislation drafted by the board 15
The cholera epidemic 15
Bubonic plague 17
Smallpox 17
Small number of deaths from malaria 18
Deaths from dysentery 18
Number of lepers in the Philippines 18
Beriberi in Manila 18
Inspection of animals 18
Prevention of rinderpest 18
Quarantining of imported animals necessary .' 19
Locust pest 19
Sanitary conditions in the provinces 20
The quarantine service 20
The civil hospital 22
The civil sanitarium at Baguio, Benguet 23
Change in rates at sanitarium 24
TV CONTENTS.
Report of the secretary of the interior — Continued. Page.
The civil sanitarium at Baguio, Benguet — Continued.
Government cottages on sanitarium grounds 24
Reorganization of sanitarium employees 24
New sanitarium buildings needed 25
Improvement of sanitarium grounds* 25
Work of the sanitarium 25
The forestry bureau 25
Modifications in forestry laws 26
New employees of the forestry bureau 26
Visit of the chief of the United States Bureau of Forestry 26
Division of inspection 27
Division of forest management 27
Need of a steamer to facilitate inspection 28
Licenses 28
Fear of extensive exploitation of Philippine forests by lumber com-
panies groundless 28
Special privileges granted to the Army 29
Work of the timber-testing laboratory 29
Workshop of the forestry bureau 30
Identification of woods by microscopic sections 30
Botanical work 30
Investigation of dyewoods 31
Work of the forest reservation in Bataan 31
Private woodlands 31
Amount of forest products from public lands in 1902 and 1903 31
Imports and exports of forest products 32
Expenses of forestry bureau 32
The mining bureau 32
Reorganization of the mining bureau to facilitate field work recom-
mended 33
Active mining operations begun 33
Mineralogical map of the Philippines 33
Recommendations of chief of mining bureau 33
Field trips 34
Additions to collections 34
Plan for exhibit at the Louisiana Purchase Exposition 34
Bureau of government laboratories 34
Opening of laboratories to the public 35
Buildings 36
The serum laboratory 36
Library 38
New apparatus and supplies 38
Assay work 38
Gas supply 38
Character of chemical work done '. , 38
The biological laboratory 39
Diagnostic work 39
Original investigation 39
CONTENTS. V
Report of the secretary of the interior — Continued. Page.
Bureau of government laboratories — Continued.
The biological laboratory — Continued.
Acting director appointed 40
Entomological work begun 40
Botanical work 40
Sectioning woods. 40
Marine biological laboratory recommended 41
The government photographer 41
Working force 42
Reorganization of the bureau needed 42
The bureau of public lands 43
Legislation drafted by the chief of the bureau 43
Plan for government surveys 44
Spanish land titles 44
Draft of instructions to deputy mineral surveyors 44
Administration of San Lazaro estate 44
Congressional legislation needed 46
The bureau of agriculture 47
Changes in working force 48
Work of the clerical force 49
Publications of the bureau 49
Seed and plant distribution 49
Proposed improvement of native fruits 50
Experiments in growing coffee 50
Fiber investigations 50
Experiment station at Manila 50
Government farm at "San Ramon 51
Experiment station in Batangas 51
Experiments at Baguio, Benguet „ 52
Agricultural college 53
Animal industry 53
Care of carabaos imported by the government 54
Government rice farm 54
The weather bureau 55
Weather stations 56
New instruments 56
Crop service 56
Establishment of storm signals 56
Publications of the bureau 57
Exhibit at the Louisiana Purchase Exposition 57
Repairs of instruments 57
Astronomical work 58
Magnetic observatory 58
Promotion without competitive examination authorized 58
The ethnological survey for the Philippine Islands _ 58
Necessity for survey 59
Transfer of the chief of the bureau 59
Work of the survey 59
VI CONTENTS.
Report of the secretary of the interior — Continued. Page.
Appendix A. — Report of the commissioner of public health 63
Report of receipts 66
Report of disbursements 66
Department of sanitary inspection 67
Department of sanitary engineering. _ _ _ _ 67
Death rate . 67
Infant mortality 70
Deaths among transients 72
Deaths without medical attendance 72
Birth rate 72
Insanitary habits 73
Public bath houses and laundries 74
Water supply . 75
Drainage 78
Sewerage 78
Esteros . 81
Sunken lands 83
Mosquitoes 84
Street cleaning 85
Collection and disposal of garbage and refuse 85
Collection and disposal of human excreta 85
Pail conservancy system 86
Habitations '. 87
Overcrowding 88
Interiors 90
Boat population 91
Markets and food tiendas 92
Foods and drinks 93
Offensive trades 95
Opium-smoking establishments 96
Need for general hospital . . 96
San Lazaro Hospital 97
Maternity and Women's hospitals 97
Hospitals for the insane . 97
Infectious-disease hospitals 98
Leper colony at Culion 98
Municipal physicians 99
Unqualified medical practitioners - 99
Free dispensary . 99
Free clinic 100
Midwives „ 100
Training school for nurses. 100
Morgue 100
Cemeteries 101
Burials and disinterments. 101
Trozofire 101
Bilibid prison 102
Louisiana Purchase Exposition 103
CONTENTS. VII
Report of the secretary of the interior — Continued Page.
Appendix A — Continued.
Government laboratories 103
Sanitary laws 103
I Asiatic cholera 105
I Bubonic plague 108
Smallpox and vaccination 109
Malarial fevers L10
j Dysentery Ill
i Leprosy , - - - Ill
Beriberi 111
Veterinary division 112
Diseases of live stock _ . 112
Quarantine station for live stock 113
Locusts 114
Provincial sanitary conditions 115
Special sanitary inspections of provinces 117
Office force 117
. Statistical tables 118
v Beport of the chief health inspector for the Philippine Islands 136
Health and sanitary stations 137
Hospitals 138
Morgue 139
Crematory 139
Corrals 139
Storehouse 140
Uniforms adopted . 140
Municipal free dispensary 140
River, water front, and harbor service 140
Methods directed to the improvement of sanitary conditions and
to free Manila of infectious diseases 140
Preventive inoculation against plague. 141
Rat catching 141
River, water front, and harbor work 141
Disinfection 141
Investigation as to continued presence of cholera in Manila 141
Procedures in vogue regarding the disposition of persons infected
with plague, etc 141
Provincial health inspections 142
Cholera work in the provinces of Sorsogon and Albay 142
Operations in the Mariquina Valley 142
Health publications 142
Recommendations made to the board of health during the year
which have not materialized 143
Report of the sanitary engineer for the Philippine Islands 143
Report on construction of the Culion Leper Colony 146
Report of the sanitary engineer of the city of Manila 149
Report of disbursing officer, board of health 160
Report of cashier, board of health 161
VIII CONTENTS.
Report of the secretary of the interior — Continued. Page,
Appendix A — Continued.
Reports on the operation of the pail conservancy system in the city
of Manila and the town of Mariquina 162
Report of physician in charge San Lazaro Hospital 168
Report of leper hospital at Cebu, Cebu 174
Report of leper hospital, Palestina, Ambos Camarines 174
Report of medical superintendent, Chinese hospital for contagious
diseases 176
Report of the surgeon, Bilibid Prison 177
Special report on bubonic plague, by Dr. E. L. Munson, assistant to
the commissioner of public health 181
Quarterly report, excluding statistical tables, of the president of the
provincial board of health, province of Pampanga 188
Measures taken for the prevention of cholera „ 189
Care of sick 189
Disposal of dead 189
Hygienic and sanitary conditions 189
Customs and habits of the people 189
Deaths from violence 189
Of economic interest 190
Locusts 190
Measures taken for the prevention of rinderpest 190
Recommendations 190
Report of special sanitary inspection of the province of Pangasinan,
by Dr. F. H. Dudley, special inspector 190
Organization 191
Diseases most common in the locality 191
Epidemic diseases , 191
Leprosy 192
Venomous snakes 192
Hygienic and sanitary conditions 192
Customs and habits of the people relative to health and sanitation. 192
Epidemic diseases among animals 193
Economics 193
Report of Tayabas Province, submitted by W. H. Cook, provincial
health inspector. 194
Pagbilao 195
Tayabas 195
Lucban 196
Sariaya 196
Candelaria 197
Tiaon 197
Sampaloc 197
Mauban 198
Lagiamanoc 198
Antimonan 199
Gumaga 199
Lopez 199
CONTENTS. IX
Report of the secretary of the interior — Continued. Page.
Appendix A — Continued.
Report of Tayabas Province — Continued.
Calaoag 200
Guinayangan 200
Alabat 200
Silangan - - 201
Singinin - 201
Boac, Marinduque - 201
Mogpoc, Marinduque 202
Gasan, Marinduque 202
Torrijos, Marinduque 202
Santa Cruz, Marinduque 203
Unisan, Tayabas 203
Pitogo, Tayabas 203
Macalelos, Tayabas 204
Genoso, Tayabas 204
Catanauan, Tayabas 204
Mulanay, Tayabas 204
Bondog, Tayabas 205
San Narciso, Tayabas 205
Remarks 205
Report on Ambos Camarines, submitted to the board of health by
W. H. Cook, provincial health inspector, district D 206
Ambos Camarines — Nueva C&ceres 206
Ragay, Camarines 207
Lupi, Camarines 207
Spiocot 208
Libmanan 208
Cabusan 208
Magarao 208
Bombon 209
Quipayo 209
Calabanga 209
Milaor " 210
Minalabag 210
San Fernando 210
Pasacao 210
Pamplona 211
Daet 211
San Vicente 211
Labo 212
Talisay 212
Indan 212
Basud 212
Baao 212
Iriga 213
Buhi 213
Nabua 214
X CONTENTS.
Report of the secretary of the interior— Continued. Page,
Appendix A — Continued.
Report on Ambos Camarines — Continued.
Bato 214
Remarks 214
Report of sanitary conditions in the provinces of Rizal, Laguna, Cavite,
and Batangas, by Dr. L. B. A. Street, special medical inspector 215
Province of Rizal 215
Diseases of animals . 216
General remarks and recommendations 216
Province of Laguna 216
Diseases of animals 217
Remarks 217
Province of Cavite. 217
Diseases of animals 218
Remarks 218
Province of Batangas 218
Diseases of animals 219
Remarks 219
Report on sanitary conditions in the provinces of Union, Benguet,
Ilocos Sur, Ilocos Norte, Abra, Lepanto-Bontoc, Cagayan, and
Isabela, by Dr. Frank Dubois, special sanitary inspector 224
General hygienic conditions and the customs and habits of the
people relative to hygiene 224
Principal diseases and death rate 225
The cholera epidemic 226
Smallpox 227
Dysentery and tuberculosis 228
Animal diseases 228
Economic conditions 228
The work of the boards of health 229
Report of special sanitary inspection of the islands of Cebu, Bohol,
Samar, and Leyte, by Dr. Charles W. Hack, special inspector . 230
Hygienic and sanitary conditions as found 230
Customs and habits of the people relative to health and sanitation . 230
The diseases common in the locality 231
The history of cholera 231
Diseases among cattle and other animals 233
Boards of health 233
Economic conditions 235
Report of special sanitary inspection of Capiz Province, Panay, by Dr.
R. E. L. Newberne, special inspector 235
Report relative to the inoculation of cattle against rinderpest, island
of Tablas, by Dr. F. M. Owen, veterinarian, board of health 236
Appendix B. — Report of the chief quarantine officer 239
Cholera 239
Plague 241
Smallpox.. 242
Leprosy 242
CONTENTS. XI
Eeport of the secretary of the interior — Continued. Page.
Appendix B — Continued.
Iloilo .—,..*. 244
Cebu 244
Mariveles quarantine station 244
Manila 245
Summary 245
Appendix C. — Report of officer in charge Philippine Civil Hospital 265
Appendix D. — Report of the acting attending physician in charge of the
civil sanitarium „ 273
Appendix E. — Report of the chief of the forestry bureau 277
Division of inspection 280
Division of forest management 284
Timber- testing laboratory and workshop 297
Recommendations on policy, organization, and procedure for the
bureau of forestry of the Philippine Islands 315
Forest policy 315
Organization 316
Grades and pay 317
Present and proposed force 318
Conduct of business 320
! Philippine forest school. 322
Philippine forest exhibit 324
Sketch for the Philippine forest exhibit 324
Appendix F. — Report of the chief of the mining bureau 327
Vacation of mining engineer 327
Mining industry established and its general conditions 327
Status of records and reorganization 329
Temporary reduction of employees 330
Mineralogical maps 330
1 ' Minas de carbon de Batan " 331
Government experiments 332
Amendments to existing mining laws 334
Charges of the government laboratories 334
The St. Louis Exposition 334
Bulletin No. 3 334
Progress of the year 335
Yearly expenses 335
Recommendations- 335
Report of the mining engineer 336
Office work 336
The museum 337
Laboratory work 338
Field work 338
Mineral exhibit at the St. Louis Exposition 339
Bulletin No. 3 340
Reorganization of the mining bureau 340
Reports 340
The National Academy of Sciences 341
Recommendations 341
XII CONTENTS.
Report of the secretary of the interior — Continued. Page.
Appendix G. — Second annual report of the superintendent of govern-
ment laboratories 343
Building and construction . 343
Serum laboratory 344
Library 345
Apparatus and supplies - 347
Chemical laboratory 348
The transfer of the serum laboratory from the board of health 350
Biological laboratory 352
Entomological work of the bureau of government laboratories 354
The transfer of the botanical work to the bureau of government labo-
ratories 355
The work of making microscopical sections for the forestry bureau . . 356
The laboratory of weights and measures 357
The marine biological laboratory 357
Scale of charges for laboratory work 358
The clerical force of the laboratory 358
A bill for reorganizing the laboratory and for providing an adequate
force for the same 359
The cooperation of the bureau with scientific surveys in the United
States 361
The work of the government photographer 361
Dwelling houses for government employees 362
The relation of the laboratory to the general hospital 362
Exhibit A. — Report of the director of the serum laboratory, by James
W. Jobling 363
Exhibit B. — Report of the chemical laboratory, prepared by Dr. P. L.
Sherman, chemist 387
Exhibit C. — Report of Dr. Richard P. Strong, director of the biologi-
cal laboratory 411
Exhibit D. — Report of Mr. Charles S. Banks, entomologist 594
Appendix H. — Annual report of the chief of the bureau of public lands . . 623
Area of public domain 623
Mining claims 624
Disposition of public lands 625
System of surveys 625
Records of Spanish land titles 626
Miscellaneous work 627
San Lazaro estate 628
General observations and suggestions 634
Appropriations and expenditures 636
Appendix I. — Report of the insular bureau of agriculture 639
General progress of the work of the bureau 639
New lines of work undertaken 639
Personnel 640
Records 640
Translations 641
Circulars of inquiry 641
CONTENTS. XIII
Keport of the secretary of the interior — Continued. Page.
Appendix I — Continued.
Publications - - 641
Seed and plant introduction 642
Distributions of seeds - - - 642
Distributions of seed rice - 643
Native fruits and vegetables - - 643
Coffee plantation 644
Acknowledgments 644
Botanical investigations 645
The herbarium - 645
Field work... 645
Forage supply of Manila 646
Soil investigations 647
Soils of Union Province 647
Soils of the forest areas 647
Batangas soils 647
Plans for continuing soil work 648
Importance of soil surveys 649
Fiber investigations 649
Bulletin of commercial fibers 649
Inspection of Manila hemp 650
Cost and income from abaca production 651
Maguey or sisal hemp 652
Experiment station in Malate 653
Station grounds 653
Insects 653
Forage 653
Sesamum 654
Tobacco 654
San Bamon 656
Method of preparing a cocoanut plantation 656
Cocoanut nursery 657
Plantation of 5,000 cocoanut trees 657
Income from a plantation of 5,000 cocoanut trees 657
Method of preparing copra 657
Improvements introduced in the cultivation of cocoanuts 658
Batangas experiment station 659
Experiments at Baguio 660
Agricultural college and experiment station at La Carlota, Western
Negros 661
Animal industry 661
Stock farms 662
Imports and exports 664
Bice farms 664
Bat guano 666
Exposition at St. Louis 666
Work of the bureau 666
Publications received 667
XIV CONTENTS.
Report of the secretary of the interior — Continued. Page.
Appendix I — Continued.
Exhibit A. — Philippine agricultural products, with brief descriptions
of the plants, their distribution and uses, compiled from the reports
of correspondents of the bureau, by F. Lamson-Scribner _ . 668
Exhibit B. — Agricultural conditions relative to value of lands, wages
of farm laborers, principal crops, etc., in the provinces 677
Exhibit C. — Report of William S. Lyon, in charge of division of plant
industry - 697
Exhibit D. — Report of the botanist 701
Exhibit E. — Report of the expert in fiber investigations 713
Exhibit F. — Report of the superintendent of experiment station at
Malate 720
Exhibit G. — Report of the superintendent of San Ramon government
farm at San Ramon, Zamboanga, P. I . 729
Exhibit H. — Report of the superintendent of the Batangas experi-
ment station . 730
Exhibit I. — Report on agricultural experiments in Benguet Province. 732
Exhibit J. — Report of the director of the College of Agriculture and
experiment station at La Gran j a Modela, La Carlota, P. I 736
Exhibit K. — Report of the director of animal industry , 740
Appendix J. — Report of the director of Philippine weather bureau 743
Appendix K. — Second annual report of the chief of the ethnological survey
for the Philippine Islands (formerly the bureau of non-Christian tribes) . 769
Part III.
Report of the secretary of commerce and police. 3
Telegraph division 11
Civil supply store 12
Bureau of coast guard and transportation 12
Light-house division 15
Bureau of posts 15
Bureau of engineering 15
Pamsipit River improvement 17
Tarlac and Pampanga rivers 17
Benguet improvement work 17
Electric power for Manila 20
Highways 21
Bureau of coast and geodetic survey 21
Annual report of Brig. Gen. H. T. Allen, chief of Philippines Constabulary . . 631
Telegraph division 34
Native operators 35
New lines 36
Expenses and material 36
Cables 36
Disturbances 37
Results of the year's work and other statistics 44
Native contingent 46
American troops 49
CONTENTS. XV
Annual report of Brig. Gen. H. T. Allen — Continued. Page.
Instruction 49
Prospective 51
Report of the first district, Philippines Constabulary 51
Abra 52
Bataan 53
Batangas - 53
Bulacan 54
Cavite 56
Cagayan 57
Isabela - 58
Ilocos Sur 60
Ilocos Xorte - 60
Lepanto-Bontoc 61
Laguna 64
Xueva Ecija 65
Xueva Yizcaya 66
Painpanga 69
Pangasinan 70
Eizal 71
Tarlac 73
Union 74
Zambales 76
Benguet 78
Report of the second district, Philippines Constabulary 90
Conditions July 1, 1903 _ 90
Conditions, operations, and events 91
Albay 91
Ambos Camarines 96
Masbate 96
Mindanao 96
Paragua 98
Romblon 98
Sorsogon 98
Tayabas 100
Conditions June 30, 1903 102
Medical division 102
Organization of the medical division 103
Report of the third district, Philippines Constabulary 113
Conditions July 1, 1902 113
Events during the year 114
Subjects of public interest . 120
Pulajanism 120
Ladrones 122
Cholera 122
Drought and famine 123
Ex-insurgents 123
Military 123
Provincial jails 123
ii
XVI CONTENTS.
Annual report of Brig. Gen. H. T. Allen — Continued. Page.
Keport of the third district, Philippines Constabulary — Continued.
Subjects of public interest — Continued.
Justices of the peace 124
The constabulary If
Supplemental report of the Philippines Constabulary ]
First district (Tagalo)
Second district (Bicol) "...
Third district ( Visayan)
Fourth district (Ilocano)
Fifth district (Moro)
Office of the chief supply officer
Manila
Exposition battalion 3
Summary 17
Annual report of the director of posts for the bureau of posts, for thf
vear ended June 30, 1903 148
Personnel of the service . 148
Revenues and expenditures 148
Dead-letter office 149
Money-order business . . 149
Registry business . .. 150
Interisland transportation ... 150
Mail communication with the United States and foreign cov . 151
Extensions and improvements 151
Defalcations
Conclusion 153
Tables 154
Annual report of the chief of the bureau of coast guard and transportation, for
the fiscal year ended June 30, 1903 171
Office building 171
Engineer island 172
Coaling stations 172
Postal clerks 172
Captains commissioned to act as customs officers 172
Launches transferred from the Quartermaster's Department of United
States Army to the civil government 172
Vessel repairs at Cavite Navy- Yard, etc 173
Division of vessels 173
Supplemental report 183
List of lights of the Philippine Islands 188
List of buoys, beacons, and daymarks of the Philippine Islands 195
Coast and Geodetic Survey report 207
Annual report of the bureau of engineering for the fiscal year ended August
31, 1903 210
Annual report of the supervisor of Cebu 238
Report of the supervisor of the province of Leyte 243
Annual report of supervisor, Occidental Negros 251
Report of the supervisor of the province of Sorsogon 257
Report of engineer in charge of Benguet road 259
CONTENTS. XVII
Page.
Second annual report of the secretary of finance and justice 265
Administration of justice - 267
New legislation relating to the supreme court and courts of first instance . 268
The court of customs appeals and new legislation relating thereto 270
The court of land registration 272
Attorney-general's office 276
Criminal code 277
Code of criminal procedure 277
Changes in the personnel of the courts 278
Insular cold storage and ice plant 279
Currency 281
Banks and banking 290
The treasury 291
Seized funds and special deposits 297
Insular budget 297
Budgev of the city of Manila , 301
The customs service and the tariff 302
Coastwise laws 309
Internal revenue 312
Financial condition of the provinces and municipalities 314
Summary showing financial condition of provinces 314
Exhibit 1.— Report of the court of customs appeals 684
Exhibit ° -Report of the court of land registration of the Philippine
islands for the period from February 1 to September 1, 1903 686
Exhibit 3. — Report of the department of justice of the Philippine Islands. 690
Exhibit 4. — Annual report insular cold storage and ice plant, fiscal year
ending June 30, 1903, and supplementary report for July and August,
1903 692
Exhibit 5. — Report of the auditor for the Philippine Islands for the fiscal
year ended June 30, 1903 372
The bookkeeping division 372
The customs division 375
The postal division 377
The miscellaneous division 379
The provincial division 380
The property division 383
Purchase of supplies in the United States 384
Administrative and field examination of accounts 384
Responsibility of disbursing officers 386
The insular salary and expense fund 387
The new Philippine currency . - 388
i
I Certificates of indebtedness 389
[ Change in ratio between Mexican or local currency and United States
currency 309
Accounting by currencies authorized . 391
Appropriated moneys undrawn June 30, 1903 392
Excessive appropriations 393
Defalcations, embezzlements, and shortages 393
Losses by theft and other unavoidable casualties 397
XVIII CONTENTS.
Second annual report of the secretary of finance and justice — Continued. Page.
Exhibit 5. — Report of the auditor for the Philippine Islands — Cont'd.
Treasury statement 398
General revenue account of the treasurer . . . . 39
Accounts of the insular treasurer as depositary 4
Army and navy disbursing officers' funds
Warrants issued by the insular government
Insular revenues
Special deposits
Customs refunds
Customs revenue stamps ,
Chinese registration
Bureau of internal revenue 3
Department of the interior 22
Department of commerce and police 423
Department of public instruction 428
Deposits on account of the Hongkong-Manila and Vis?
cessions . 430
Undeposited collections .. 430
Insular disbursements ... 431
Undeposited balances 445
Comparative statements of receipts and expenditures 446
Finances of the city of Manila under its charter 1 is
The city of Manila in account with the government
Islands, June 30, 1903
Reimbursable expenditures
Operations of the insular purchasing agent 451
Operations of the constabulary commissary 451
Operations of the insular purchasing agent under the rice appropri-
ations 452
War emergency rice fund 452
Insular salary and expense fund . 453
Purchase of silver bullion and alloy 453
Invalid money orders 453
Outstanding liabilities 453
The money-order system 454
Fiscal affairs of the provinces 457
Statement of forestry tax settlements, fiscal year 1903 459
Refunds of forestry taxes 460
Refund of internal revenue 460
General accounts of provincial treasurers 460
Old balances 502
Detailed statements of the expenditures 502
Acknowledgments 502
Appendix 503
Exhibit 6. — Second special report by W. Morgan Shuster, collector of
customs for the Philippine Islands, from September 1, 1902, to October
8, 1903 510
Port of Manila 514
CONTENTS. XIX
Second annual report of the secretary of finance and justice — Continued. Page.
Exhibit 6. — Second special report by W. Morgan Shuster— Continued.
Port of Iloilo 516
Port of Cebu 516
Quasi consular duties 516
Statistic work 517
Hemp refunds 517
Coastwise laws 518
Ugnal letters and official numbers for vessels 522
I ocumentation of small vessels in the Philippines 522
janiboat-inspection service 523
neasurement 523
. rigration work, including Chinese exclusion laws 524
1 of protests and appeals 527
g vision of Government vessels 528
mity of appraisals . 529
a 529
■ ental 530
ent unloading and warehousing of imported goods at Manila. 532
rbor regulations 533
ports 533
C districts 534
"ion districts 535
se ports 537
md protection of American seamen 540
Secret-service work 540
Criticism of the customs service 541
Appendix A. — Special regulations for vessels engaging in lighterage
and other exclusively harbor business at ports in the Philippine
Archipelago 544
Appendix B. — Certificate of service and license to masters 547
Appendix C. — Customs administrative circular Xo. 105 548
Appendix D. — Customs administrative circular Xo. 223 549
Appendix E. — List of vessels in the Philippine Islands with certifi-
cates of protection outstanding June 30, 1903 567
Appendix F. — Chinese and immigration circular Xo. 85 619
Appendix A. — An act to regulate the registration of Chinese,
etc 631
Appendix G . — Comparative statistical summaries . . 634
Appendix H. — Organization, duties of, and rules for the arrastre di-
vision of the Manila custom-house 650
Appendix I. — Customs administrative circular Xo. 238, publishing
harbor regulations for the port of Manila 653
Exhibit 7. — Report of A. W. Hastings, acting collector of internal revenue. 659
Second annual report of the secretary of public instruction 669
Public instruction under Spanish rule 669
Public instruction since American occupation 673
Organization 675
The teaching force 675
XX CONTENTS.
Second annual report of the secretary of public instruction— Continued. Page.
Attendance 677
Relations of American teachers to the people 679
Schoolhouses 680
Moro Province 680
The work accomplished and that which remains to be done. . +. 681
Changes of supervisory personnel 682
Appropriations, expenditures, and unexpended balances 682
Bureau of architecture and construction of public buildings 683
Office personnel and other employees 683
Work of the bureau during the year 683
Bureau of public printing 685
Bureau of archives, including the bureau of patents, copyrights, and
trade-marks ... 688
American circulating library 689
Museum of ethnology, natural history, and commerce 690
Bureau of statistics ,. 691
Census bureau . 691
The official gazette 693
Exhibit A. — Report of the general superintendent of education. 694
Aims of primary education in the Philippines 694
Exhibit A. — Statement of the attitude of the Filipino people toward
the public schools, by Mr. Frank R. White, assistant
to the general superintendent 705
Exhibit B. — Statistics relating to the work of the bureau 713
Exhibit C. — Reports of division superintendents and principals of the
insular normal, trade, and nautical schools 720
Division of Manila 720
Division of Albay and Sorsogon 724
Division of Ambos Camarines 728
Division of Batangas 731
Division of Bohol 740
Division of Bulacan 742
Division of Cagayan and Isabela 745
Division of Capiz 748
Division of Cavite 749
Division of Cebu 753
Division of Ilocos Norte 755
Division of Ilocos Sur and Abra 757
Division of Iloilo and Antique 760
Division of Laguna 764
Division of Union 765
Division of Masbate 768
Division of Mindanao and Jolo 770
Division of Misamis 777
Division of Nueva Ecija 779
Division of Occidental Negros 781
Division of Oriental Negros 784
Division of Pampanga and Bataan 787
Division of Pangasinan 789
CONTENTS. XXI
Second annual report of the secretary of public instruction — Continued. page.
Exhibit A. — Report of the general superintendent of education — Cont'd.
Exhibit C. — Reports of division superintendents, etc. — Continued.
Division of Rizal 798
Division of Romblon 805
Division of Surigao - - - 808
Division of Tarlac 811
Division of Tayabas - 817
Division of Zambales 821
Division of Paragua 822
Insular Nautical School 823
Insular Normal School 825
rnsular Trade School 830
I • : ^it D. — Station list of insular teachers 833
f, E. — Circulars issued to division superintendents and teachers. 843
F. — Minutes of the superintendents' convention held at
Manila 852
Exh. ^port of the chief of the bureau of architecture and con-
"ruction of public buildings 924
Office ^el, skilled and unskilled laborers : . 924
N- - 925
. - ^.l Baguio, Benguet 925
•n-house 926
of health 926
bureau of government laboratories 927
Civil Hospital 927
Insular cold storage and ice plant 928
Philippine public printing office 928
Bureau of agriculture 928
Bureau of coast guard and transportation 928
Ayuntamiento - 929
Miscellaneous small work 929
Municipal building 929
New work authorized 930
Schoolhouses 933
Louisiana Purchase Exposition buildings 934
Property department 934
Conditions, requirements, and recommendations 936
Financial 938
Exhibit C. — Second annual report of the public printer 942
Equipment 943
Building 944
Employees of the bureau of public printing 944
Instruction of Filipinos 946
Product of the plant 947
Provincial printing 948
System of records 948
Exhibit D. — Report of the bureau of archives, bureau of patents, copy-
rights, and trade-marks 956
Exhibit Dl. — Lands of Arroceros and the Aguadas 963
XXII CONTENTS.
Second annual report of the secretary of public instruction — Continued. Page.
Exhibit E. — Philippines museum 976
Exhibit F.— Editor of the Official Gazette 979
Character of Gazette 979
Establishment of office 979
Printing 980
Distribution ."___. 980
Collections 981
Exchanges 981
Preliminary number 982
Conclusion „ 982
ANNUAL REPORT
PHILIPPINE COMMISSION
SECRETARY OF WAR.
Manila, P. L, December 23, 1903.
Sir: The Philippine Commission has the honor to submit to you its
fourth annual report, which is accompanied by the reports of the civil
governor, the secretary of commerce and police, the secretary of
finance and justice, the secretary of the interior, and the secretary
of public instruction. The reports were delayed, due to absence and
illness of two or three of the Commission, and cover varying periods.
The report of the Commission extends over a period from November
1, 1902, to December 22, 1903.
The conditions of the islands as to tranquillity are quite equal, so far
as peace and good order are concerned, to what they were at any time
during the Spanish regime. There are centers of disturbance in the
Moro country, but the}T do not offer any difficulty in their removal.
The conditions in the Jolo group are shown in the special report of
Major-General Wood, governor of the Moro Province, and in the
report of the civil governor. The Commission concurs in the recom-
mendation of the civil governor and General Wood that the sultan and
datos signing the so-called Bates treaty be notified that its terms are
no longer binding on the United States or the Philippine government,
and that the Jolo group and all its inhabitants, including the sultan of
Jolo and the signing datos, are entirely subject to the Philippine gov-
ernment act and laws passed in accordance therewith.
The condition as to the food supply in the Archipelago has been
dealt with at length by the civil governor in his report to the Com-
mission, and it is sufficient to say that the 13,000,000 voted by Con-
gress were exceedingly useful in aiding the islands to meet emergencies
which grew much more serious than they were supposed to be at the
time the appropriation was made. The recovery from the disastrous
loss of cattle through the rinderpest must of necessity be slow, and it
3
4 REPOKT OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION.
can not be said as yet that the Commission has reached a satisfactory
solution of the difficulty, or that it can be certain that with the remain-
der of the $3,000,000 it may greatly alleviate the embarrassment in
agriculture due to the absence of draft cattle. Still, experiments will
be continued, and it may be that a remedy will be found. The civil
governor in his report to the Commission has set forth at length the
dispositions which have been made of the money which has been
expended or appropriated out of the $3,000,000 relief fund. The law
requires that the civil governor should give an account of this expend-
iture to the Secretary of War. There is appended to the report of
the civil governor to the Commission a detailed statement of expendi-
tures by the auditor so far as it can be made down to the date of his
report. In order to prevent a duplication of matter which was prop-
erly part of the Commission's report to the Secretary of War, it is
hoped that the report of the civil governor with the auditor's statement
will be regarded as a sufficient compliance with the law.
s The revenues of the islands were maintained for the last fiscal year,
and the balance of trade for the year with respect to the islands was
much more favorable. The balance of trade against the islands in
merchandise was a little over $8,000,000 for the fiscal year ending
June 30, 1902. For the fiscal year ending June 30, 1903, it was about
$150,000 in favor of the islands, and this in spite of the importation
of $10,000,000 gold of rice, an increase of nearly four millions over
last year's importation.
The conditions with respect to sugar and tobacco continue to be very
unfavorable, and the arguments in favor of a reduction of the Dingley
tariff upon these articles, to 25 per cent of the rates of that tariff on
sugar and tobacco from the Philippines, grow stronger instead of
weaker.
- On the 22d of December, 1903, contracts were signed with the
owners of the so-called friars' lands and by the civil governor, with
the approval and consent of the Commission and the Secretary of War,
by which, for a lump sum of $7,239,000, more or less, all the agricul-
tural holdings of the friars in the Philippines were agreed to be trans-
ferred to the Philippine government, except about 10,000 acres, the
reason for the exception of which is stated in the report of the civil
governor. By these contracts, when consummated, something more
than 400,000 acres, three-fifths of which have been highly cultivated
land and are thickly inhabited by thousands of tenants, will be trans-
ferred to the Government. This step has been recommended by the
Commission in its previous reports, by the Paris Peace Commission,
and by the Schurman Commission as important in producing perma-
nent tranquillity in the islands. Many of the tenants have urged the
purchase upon the Government.
REPORT OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION. 5
The Commission is in a position to say that the number of Spanish
friars in the islands is being gradually reduced, so that out of more
than 1,000 that were here in 1898 there were but 370 on December 1,
1902, and now there are but 246; that of these a number are infirm
and unable to do parish work, and that 83 Dominicans have renounced
parish work altogether with the Holy See, and that the policy of the
church, therefore, in not sending back to the parishes Spanish friars
where it can be avoided, or where they will not be well received by
the people, has been sufficiently shown by the facts. The intention of
the Roman Catholic Church to Americanize the church in the Philip-
pines is also shown by the appointment of American Catholic bishops
and one Filipino bishop to fill the episcopal see of the islands. Not
one Spanish friar bishop remains. It is also understood from the cor-
respondence with Cardinal Rampolla and subsequent information
received, that of the money to be paid under the purchase to the
religious orders by present owners, a large part will be devoted to
church purposes in the islands by the supreme authority of the church.
It can be safely stated, therefore, that the most important of the mat-
ters which the President and the Secretary of War proposed to adjust
by sending the civil governor to Rome to confer concerning matters of
difference between the Roman Church and the Philippine government
have been adjusted, or are on a fair way to satisfactory settlement.
There still remain the fixing of the amount due for rent of and
damages to buildings belonging to the church, occupied by United
States troops, from the United States Government, and the adjust-
ment of certain trusts, the character of which, as to being secular or
religious^ is in dispute.
The disposition of the friars' lands agreed to be purchased will entail
a very heavy burden upon the Philippine government, but it is thought
that in the course of ten or fifteen years the distribution of the lands
can be successfully effected to those now lawfully in possession as
tenants. The histor}^ of the negotiations for the purchase are fully set
forth in the report of the civil governor.
The income from customs and other regular taxes has been falling
off for the last six months, and there is some reason to expect that the
income for the year ending June 30, 1901, will be considerably less
than that for the }^ear ending June 30, 1903. Much of the money
which has been expended during the current eighteen months has been
applied to permanent improvements or to extraordinary expenditures
like the cholera ($300,000), the census ($694,000), and the St. Louis
Exposition ($575,000); $2,500,000 have been expended or are under
appropriation for extensive port works. It is quite possible that with
the pressure for enlargement in the branches of public education and
in other bureaus which call for expansion there will be a deficit dur-
b KEPORT OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION.
ing a period of reduced income, due to the depressed condition of agri-
culture. If provision should be made by which the Commission could
issue bonds to pay for permanent improvements, like port works or
the construction of heavy bridges or other works of great utility
usually paid for under other governments by bond issues, the embar-
rassment of a deficit could certainly be avoided. It is thought that it
would not be extending too great power to the Commission, with the
consent of the President of the United States and the Secretary of
War, from time to time to issue bonds not exceeding in the aggregate
$5,000,000 to pay the cost of permanent improvements like the con-
struction of port works or bridges or of large provincial or city school-
houses. For the latter purpose, that of schoolhouses, two or three
millions of dollars might easily be spent and not one dollar wasted.
The crying need throughout the islands is school capacity, and the
chief cause for the fact that only about 10 per cent of the children of
school age attend the public schools is the limitation upon the school-
room. The erection of handsome, permanent, airy, and healthy school-
houses would have an excellent effect both in enlarging the school
capacity and in giving ocular demonstration of the importance which
the government attaches to the general system of education.
Section 66 of the so-called Philippine act of Congress provides:
That for the purpose of providing funds to construct sewers, to furnish adequate
sewer and drainage facilities, to secure a sufficient supply of water, and to provide
all kinds of municipal betterments and improvements in municipalities, the govern-
ment of the Philippine Islands, under such limitations, terms, and conditions as it
may prescribe, with the consent and approval of the President and the Congress of
the United States, may permit any municipality of said islands to incur indebted-
ness, borrow money, and to issue and sell ( at not less than par value in gold coin of
the United States) registered or coupon bonds in such amount and payable at such
time as may be determined by the government of said islands, with interest thereon
not to exceed five per centum per annum : Provided, That the entire indebtedness
of any municipality under this section shall not exceed five per centum of the assessed
valuation of the property in said municipality, and any obligation in excess of such
limit shall be null and void.
It seems to the Commission that section 66 ought to be amended by
striking out the words "and the Congress of the United States," con-
tained in the seventh line thereof, and that with the continuance of
the limitation that the bond issue shall not exceed 5 per cent of the
assessed valuation of the property in the municipality, the require-
ment that the Commission and the President shall approve the bond
issue before it can be made will be a quite sufficient barrier against
abuse of the power. The cumbersomeness of the requirement that
Congress shall be applied to for the issuing of bonds for any one of
the nine hundred different towns of the Archipelago, will, it seems to
us, at once strike the impartial observer. The limitation of 5 per cent
REPORT OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION. 7
upon the assessed valuation is of itself a very great one, and in many
instances will prevent the making of useful improvements by means
of a bond issue, but such as the authority is, it ought not to be
restricted by a further burdensome requirement that we should go to
Congress for assistance in the case of each municipality. It is sincerely
hoped that there are many municipalities in which, by a bond issue of
this sort, a healthful water supply could be obtained either by gravity
or sunken wells, and the Commission is earnestly desirous of beginning
this work as soon as possible.
Attention was called in the last report of the Commission to the fact
that in the case of the bonds to be issued in the payment of the friars'
lands, their exemption was made to extend not only to Federal and
Philippine taxes, but also to the taxation of States, counties, and
municipalities of the United States, and that by this means it was
made possible to secure a very much lower rate of interest than with-
out the exemption from State, municipal, and county taxation in the
United States. With respect to the bonds to be issued to pay for the
sewer and water supply systems in Manila, the exemption did not
include that from State, county, and municipal taxation. As the whole
effort of the Government of the United States in these islands is a
national one, it does not appear to the Commission why a distinction
should be made, and it is again urgently recommended that all bonds
to be issued by virtue of the Philippine act should be exempt not
only from Federal and Philippine taxation, but also from State, and
municipal, and county taxation.
The operation of the coastwise trade laws of the United States, in
respect to trade between the islands of the Philippine Archipelago and
to trade between those islands and the mainland of the United States,
have been suspended by act of Congress until July 1, 1904. If Con-
gress were to take no action and to allow the coastwise navigation
laws to become applicable to the interisland trade of these islands and
to the trade between the islands and the United States as they novr
are, most disastrous results would follow. It is earnestly recommended
that the regulation of the coastwise trade, so far as it relates to the
trade between the islands of the Philippine Archipelago, be left
wholly to the discretion of the Philippine Commission, subject to the
approval of the Secretary of War and the President of the United
States, and that the trade between the islands and the mainland of the
United States be continued as at present by suspending the application
of the trading laws of the United States for five years longer, to wit,
until July 1, 1909. The reasons for this recommendation will be
found set forth in the report of the civil governor, and still more in
detail in the reports of the secretary of finance and justice and the
reports of the insular collector of customs, Mr. W. Morgan Shuster.
8 REPORT OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION.
Since the above was written, it has come to the knowledge of the
Commission that a bill has been introduced in Congress applying the
coastwise law to trade between the islands and the mainland of the
United States. The danger from this of increasing the freight rates
and thus imposing an additional burden upon the trade of the islands
must be obvious to anyone who has examined the facts with respect to
the percentage of the business now done between the islands and the
mainland of the United States in American bottoms. The Commission,
of course, can not present any objection to legislation which shall unite
more closely the Philippine Islands with the United States in bonds of
amity and mutually beneficial business relations, but it most urgently
and earnestly invites your attention, and that of Congress, to the great
injustice Which will be done to the islands if the law which limits the
means of communication to American bottoms between the United
States and the Philippine Islands does not at the same time and as a
consideration for this interference with the natural laws of trade and
the necessaiy increase of freight rates, strike down the tariff wall made
by the Dingley tariff in the matter of the importation of sugar and
tobacco from the islands to the mainland. The people of the islands
may well ask, "What advantage are we to get out of association with
the United States in a business way, if our trade is to be used only for
the purpose of increasing the business of American ships while the
limitation of the coastwise laws by increasing the freight rates will
reduce the business that we now have with that country ? "
Does not every consideration of justice require that if the Philip-
pine Islands are to be treated as a part of the United States and sub-
ject to the coastwise laws, they should enjoy the same freedom of
trade with the United States which is enjoyed by every other part of
the United States to which those coastwise laws are made applicable?
We respectfully urge, therefore, that as a condition and as a con-
sideration for making the trade between the islands and the United
States coastwise trade, the duty on sugar and tobacco should be
reduced to not more than 25 per cent of the Dingley rates.
Now that conditions of tranquility have been completely restored to
the islands, the time has arrived for the material improvements in the
islands by great works of construction, and especially the building of
railroads. In tropical countries the cost of construction and main-
tenance of a railroad is much less in comparison with that of the con-
struction and maintenance of a wagon road than in the temperate zone.
The effect of the torrential rains on wagon roads is so destructive that
their maintenance each year is almost equal to their original cost of
construction in many places in the Philippine Islands where good road
material is difficult to obtain. It becomes therefore more important
in these islands to have railroads than wagon roads, and we believe
KEPOKT OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION. 9
sincerely that the stimulation of the construction of railroads by Gov-
ernment guaranty of a certain income is fully warranted.
We are opposed to the granting of lands as a subsidy for the con-
struction of roads, and favor the definite fixing of the Government lia-
bility by guaranty of the income on a fixed investment. In this way
we feel certain that the construction of a large part of the needed
trunk lines in the islands can be brought about. In our view a
guaranty of income not exceeding ± per cent is all that is required,
and in many instances a grant of less than that will supply the needed
capital. We think that the making of such guaranties might well be
left to the Commission, with the approval of the Secretary of War
and the President of the United States.
The Commission retains its opinion already expressed that the
limitation upon the holding of land in the islands by corporations
to 2,500 acres is a needless hindrance to the development of the
islands, and that the limitation ought either to be removed entirely or
to be increased so as to allow the acquisition of at least 25,000 acres of
land. In cases in which, in order to justify the expenditure of the
amount of capital required to conduct sugar and other agricultural
industries on a paying basis, a very large amount of money is needed,
the restriction of corporations to the ownership of 2,500 acres is prac-
tically prohibitory upon such enterprises.
Again, the chief of the mining bureau and the secretary of the
interior recommend that the provision of the present mining laws
which prevents the location of more than one claim by a single indi-
vidual or association upon a lode or deposit should be stricken out.
The Commission entirely concurs in this view. Attention is also
called to the fact that that part of the Philippine act which relates to
mining needs some amendments of smaller importance, but which are
quite necessary. Thus, both standards of measurement are used in the
act, whereas the metric system alone ought to be used. Again, the
recording of mining claims is forbidden without certain requisites.
The chief of the bureau is strongly of opinion that all such claims
ought to be recorded, and then their legal effect after recording should
be left to the courts. He thinks the present provision intrusts too
much power to the recording officer.
The Commission therefore has the honor to recommend that Con-
gress be requested to enact legislation as follows:
First. Legislation which shall reduce the tariff on sugar and tobacco
imported from the Philippine Islands to not more than 25 per cent of
the present Dingley rates on tobacco and sugar imported from foreign
countries.
Second. Legislation authorizing the Philippine Commission, with
the approval of the President and the Secretary of War, to issue bonds
10 REPOPT OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION.
from time to time, which shall not in the aggregate sum exceed
$5,000,000, for the making of future permanent improvements.
Third. An amendment to section 66 of an act entitled "An act
temporarily to provide for the administration of the affairs of civil
government in the Philippine Islands, and for other purposes," by
which the consent of Congress to issue the bonds therein provided for
may not be required.
Fourth. Legislation providing that all bonds authorized to be issued
by the Philippine government or any provincial or municipal govern-
ment thereof by act of Congress shall be made exempt not only from
Federal and Philippine taxation, but from State, county, and municipal
taxation in the United States.
Fifth. That control over the shipping in the trade between the
islands shall be left wholly to the discretion of the Philippine Com-
mission, subject to the approval of the President and the Secretary of
War.
Sixth. That the application of the United States coastwise naviga-
tion laws to the trade between the Philippine Islands and the mainland
of the United States be postponed by Congressional action until July 1,
1909; or, in the alternative, that the coastwise laws of the United
States be not made applicable to the trade between the islands and the
mainland of the United -States, except with a proviso or condition that
the rates upon imports from the Philippine Islands into the United
States shall not pay duty in excess of 25 per cent of the rates on such
merchandise imposed by the Dingley tariff.
Seventh. That authority be given by Congressional act to the
Philippine Commission, with the approval of the President and the
Secretary of War, to encourage the investment of capital in the con-
struction of railroads for the Philippine Islands by accompanying
the grants of franchises to build railroads, in cases where it is deemed
necessary, with a guaranty by the Philippine government of income
on the amount of the investment to be fixed in advance in the act of
guaranty, the amount of income guaranteed not to exceed annually
4 per cent of the fixed principal.
Eighth. That the amount of land which may be acquired, owned,
and used for agricultural purposes in the Philippines by any individual
or corporation shall be extended to 25,000 acres.
i Ninth. That the clause which forbids the filing of more than one
mining claim by the same individual or association upon a lode or
deposit be repealed. "
Tenth. That the provisions of the Philippine act entitled "An act
temporarily to provide for the administration of the affairs of civil
government in the Philippine Islands, and for other purposes," which
apply to mining claims, and the procedure in filing them, shall be so
amended that only the metric system of distances shall be used, and
REPORT OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION. 11
shall also be so amended that mining claims shall be filed whether
property executed according- to law or not, the effect of their execution
and record to be left to future adjudication.
Respectfully submitted.
Wm. H. Taft, President. .
For—
Dean C. Worcester,
Luke E. Wright,
Henry C. Ide,
T. H. Pardo de Tavera,
Benito Legarda,
Jose Luzuriaga,
James F. Smith,
Commissioners.
The honorable the Secretary of War.
Washington, D. C.
REPORT OF THE CIVIL GOVERNOR OF THE
PHILIPPINE ISLANDS
FOE THE PERIOD ENDING DECEMBER 23, 1903.
13
LIST OF EXHIBITS TO REPORT OF CIVIL GOVERNOR FOR THE
YEAR 1903.
Exhibit A. — Resolutions re rice. Executive order 64. Acts 495, 517.
Proclamation re quick-growing crops. Acts 817, 738,
786, 797, 828.
B. — Report insular purchasing agent.
C. — Report insular purchasing agent carabao to November
20, 1903.
D. — Expenditures Congressional relief fund.
E. — Reconcentration act No. 781.
F. — Stenographic report Villegas hearings (Washington).
G. — Summarized statement valuations religious estates.
H. — Contracts for sale friars' lands.
I.— Statement showing executive action religious matters.
J. — Report Governor Wright — Hemp.
K. — Petition agricultural society Panay and Negros — Sugar.
L. — Colton's statement re sugar.
M. — Governor Wright's statement re sugar and tobacco.
N. — Supervisor fiscal report labor Benguet road.
O. — Labor report, Captain Couden, U. S. Navy.
P. — Report Norton and Drew.
Q. — Report exposition board.
R. — Report civil service board.
S. — Acts of the Moro Province.
T. — Report General Wood, Bates treaty.
U. — Report of municipal board.
V. — Charter Manila Street Railway.
W. — Improvement of port.
X. — Report executive secretary.
Y. — Executive orders and proclamations.
15
REPORT OF THE CIVIL GOVERNOR FOR THE PERIOD ENDING
DECEMBER 23, 1903.
Manila, P. I., November 15, 1903.
Gentlemen: I have the honor to submit a report to you on the
general conditions in the islands and on the affairs of the bureaus
which by law are under the direct supervision of the civil governor.
The report of last year, upon the subjects treated in this report gen-
erally, covered a period ending October 1, 1902. I shall attempt to
make this report cover the period ending December 23, 1903.
This has been a year of considerable suffering among the people of
the Philippine Islands. The depressing causes referred to in my last
report united to bring on in July and August last a short food supply.
The worst has passed, and while the immediate future is not as bright
as it might be, I believe that we are beginning an era in the history of
the islands which, with the assistance of proper tariff reduction in the
United States and proper navigation laws for the islands, will be one
of decided material development.
In November, 1902, the price of rice rose rapidly in Manila and the
provinces, and authentic information reached the Commission that a
syndicate had been formed by certain merchants of Manila and else-
where to effect a corner in this food of the people and to control its
price. The situation warranted extraordinary action to prevent hard-
ship and suffering. On the 4th of November, 1902, therefore, the
Commission passed Act No. 495, a copy of which is appended under
Exhibit A, appropriating $2,000,000 Mexican to defray the expense
of buying and distributing rice at a reasonable price to the inhab-
itants of those provinces in which the market price was too high. By
the terms of the law the rice was bought under direction of the civil
governor and was distributed under the orders of the same officer for
cash and at a price which would cover cost and all expenses. Subse-
quently the restriction as to price was repealed. In attempting to
buy rice in Saigon, the source of rice supply nearest to the Philip-
pines, the Commission was informed that the supply from there was
exhausted. Thereupon application was made to the consul at Bang-
kok for Siam rice and also to the consul at Calcutta for Calcutta rice.
war 1903— vol 5 2 17
18 KEPORT OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION.
It was found necessary to go into these distant markets because the
syndicate evidently controlled the Saigon market.
The purchases of rice, with the cost of storing, distribution, and
wastage, did not prove to be profitable as a mere investment. An
especially severe loss was suffered in the rice purchased at Calcutta.
We bought there what was called "first-class famine rice." On
arrival this proved to be an inferior quality of red rice, which soon
developed weevils and in its deteriorating condition had to be sold at a
considerable loss. It was probably necessary to go as far as Calcutta
to break the corner, but it would have been wiser to buy a better
quality of rice.
None of the rice in question was given away; it was held in Manila
and sent to the various provinces as word was received from the gov-
ernors that the local dealers were raising the price of rice beyond
what was reasonable. Our purchases in Siam and Calcutta broke the
corner, and rice fell in price. It then became necessary to dispose of
the rice on hand to dealers in Manila and in other parts of the Archipel-
ago at such price as could be obtained. A large part of the Calcutta
purchase was sold to a firm having control of certain small coastwise
steamers of small draft which plied from port to port and peddled out
cargoes of the poor rice through Chinamen. The contract of sale
forbade under bond penalty, disposition of the rice at a price greater
than $6.50 Mexican per picul of 137i pounds, plus actual cost of freight.
This was not an unreasonable price for that quality of rice in the
provinces.
The purchases of rice under Act No. 495 in Mexican money amounted
to $1, 815, 974. 81
And the sales amounted to 1, 567, 642. 00
Loss from wastage and poor Calcutta rice 248, 332. 81
The details of these Government transactions can be seen by refer-
ence to the report of the insular purchasing agent, made an exhibit
hereto, marked Exhibit B. On the purchase under Act 495 the loss
to the Government, at the then prevailing rate, was thus about $100,000
gold. Considering that by this action rice at a reasonable price was
secured to six millions of people for one season when they were threat-
ened with starvation prices, the money was not badly spent. The
losses sustained hy the syndicate who attempted the corner was suffi-
cient to prevent another combination of the kind. It will be noted
that the money spent under Act No. 495 was appropriated from the
general funds of the insular treasury, and did not come out of the
three millions appropriated by act of Congress for relief of the dis-
tress in the islands, subsequently passed.
Anticipating that the small rice acreage, due to the absence of cattle
and other causes, would not be sufficient to furnish food enough for
KEPOKT OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION. 19
the inhabitants during the year 1903, the Commission passed an act
to provide against the danger of famine dated November 12, 1902,
and numbered 517. By this act it was made the duty of municipal
presidents in all the towns of the islands to call meetings of the people
of their respective towns, and to urge them at once to take steps to
secure the necessary seed and to plant quick-growing crops of corn,
camotes (i. e., sweet potatoes), rice, and other food plants. Each
president was authorized temporarily to allot public land within his
town to citizens of the town for the purpose of planting seed and of
reaping the crop. The act further authorized provincial boards to buy
seed and sell it where needed to the towns, to be sold again to the
inhabitants, with authority to furnish the indigent with seed and to
collect the equivalent of the same from the crop. Monthly reports of
their proceedings under the act were required from the municipal
presidents and provincial governors. The civil governor was required
to bring the terms of the act to the attention of the people by procla-
mation.
The proclamation was issued in accordance with the act, and reports
from the various provinces justify the statement that the act stim-
ulated the planting of many different kinds of food-making plants and
prevented much of the suffering which would have been caused by the
short food supply. In parts of the islands the municipal councils
exceeded their authority and made the failure to plant crops criminal
offenses, and punished persons by imprisonment in jail for failure to
attend to the provisions of this act and to raise the crops as the coun-
cils thought they ought. Executive action had to be taken to prevent
such abuses. From the 1st of January until late in August there was
a drought in the islands of unusual length, which interfered with the
successful reaping of many of the crops planted under Act No. 517;
and with the drought a pest of locusts came that bade fair to consume
every part of the food supply that grew above the ground. Locusts
have visited some provinces in the islands for two or three years past,
but during this year every province seems to have been afflicted with
them. In a normal state of agriculture, with the acreage of planted
crops what it was before 1896, every hacendero or farmer, the
moment that locusts appeared, had the strongest motive for uniting
all the people in the suppression of the pest. If locusts are promptly
attacked, driven into ditches and burned before their wings are grown,
and when they are what are called "loctones" or hoppers, they can
be destroyed and the losses which they cause as flying insects may
be avoided. The difficulty during the past year has been that com-
paratively so little of the land has been cultivated that the motive for
the influential hacendero and landowner to make great efforts to
kill the locusts has not existed. The Commission became convinced
from official reports received that some radical action must be taken
20 REPORT OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION.
to rouse the people to suppress the locusts. Accordingly Act No. 817,
declaring the presence of locusts to be a public emergency and making
provision for their suppression, was enacted on the 3d of August, 1903.
By this act a board for the suppression of locusts was provided in each
province, to consist of the three members of the provincial board and
three agriculturalists. In each province in which locusts appeared,
every able-bodied inhabitant, with a few necessary exceptions, was
declared liable for service under regulations of the board, which might
require the inhabitants to assemble "en masse" to suppress the pest, or
might make it the duty of each inhabitant to deliver to an agent of the
board a certain number of bushels of locusts a day. The municipal offi-
cers were made subject to the orders of the board, and they were required
at once to give notice of the presence of locusts in any barrio of a
town to the agents of the board. The board was authorized to dis-
tribute rice to those engaged in the work of suppressing locusts who
were unable to support themselves during their service, and this rice,
it was provided, the civil governor should purchase at the expense of
the Congressional relief fund and distribute to the various provinces.
Any person failing to comply with lawful regulations of the board
was made subject to prosecution and a fine of $10 or ten days imprison-
ment, or both. The board was also authorized to procure from the civil
governor sheets of galvanized iron to be distributed to each town, and
to be used as a means of obstructing the escape of locusts and of
driving them into prepared ditches. These sheets of iron were also
to be paid for from the Congressional relief fund.
Money has been drawn from the Congressional relief fund by vir-
tue of Acts Nos. 738, 786, and 797, and under resolutions of the Com-
mission adopted in accordance with the provisions of the last act.
The three acts and the resolutions passed are appended to this report
under Exhibit A. It was thought wise to buy rice and distribute it
in the provinces to be used not only to pay for the destruction of
locusts, but also for the payment of labor on the roads, for the labor
in the erection of barrio schoolhouses and other public works, the
construction of which in districts where the food supply was short
would furnish means of living to the poor and indigent. Rice for
this purpose proved generally to be better than money, because money
earned and paid was too often lost in gambling, the prevailing vice
among the Filipino people, whether rich or poor. Rice generally
reached the mouths it was intended for.
We have purchased under Acts 786 and 797 from Congressional
relief funds, rice amounting to 16,552,487 pounds, costing $732,790.13
Mexican currency, and 8,455,524 pounds, costing $348,931.93 Philip-
pine currency. Of this 19,994,565 pounds have been distributed down
to November 30 of this year, and we have on hand 5,013,446 pounds.
Probably no more than this will be needed for the present year.
REPORT OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION.
21
The following table shows the provinces to which the rice has been
distributed and the purposes to which it has been devoted:
Province.
Piculs (137*
pounds to
picul ) .
Days wages
in driving
and de-
stroying
locusts.
Repair-
ing and
con-
structing
roads.
For sale
to pre-
vent ex-
orbitant
prices.
Barrio
school-
houses.
Iron for
locusts
(sheets).
Netting
for catch-
ing
locusts.
2,000
5,000
4,500
1,250
1,000
500
1,000
400
4,500
3,000
500
1,500
750
500
100
300
12, 000
500
10, 000
4,000
3,000
500
8,000
5,000
2,000
500
100
500
100
1,000
1,000
5,000
6,000
5,000
9,700
2,000
12, 500
820
2,000
103
1,000
5,000
3,500
100
8,000
8,500
4,500
1,000
1,000
3,000
5,000
5,000
6,200
1,000
Cebu
1,000
2,000
2,500
820
1,000
51
2,500
500
1,500
100
500
Iloilo
10, 000
1,000
52
1,000
3,000
3,000
100
4,000
2,000
500
500
4,000
4,000
2,000
1,600
500
1,000
500
600
100
3,000
1,500
2,500
5,000
100
400
2,000
2,000
4,000
84
4,000
8,050
5,400
1,000
100
4,000
Rizal
400
2,000
2,000
4,000
34
1,000
3,000
400
Tarlac
3,000
4,500
2,000
a 100
450
3,000
450
100
139, 957
33, 655
82, 252
7,100
16, 950
11,450
1,000
a Provincial buildings.
The only gratuitous distribution of rice permitted was as follows:
Piculs.
Mariquina fire sufferers 182
Indigent poor, town of Capiz, Panay 25
Relief inhabitants of Canaman, Magarao, Bombon, Quipajo, Ambos Camarines
(50 piculs each town) 200
Total : 407
Under date of September 18, 1903, provincial board of Occidental Negros was
authorized to furnish 2 cavanes of rice per week to lepers at Macalol, Bacolod. (To
be taken from rice shipped under Act 786.)
It was supposed for some time to be possible to destroy the locusts
by infecting some of them with a disease from a poisonous fungus
and allowing the infected ones to escape to their fellows and thus
spread destruction through all of them. In exceptional instances
this remed}T was effective, but during the dry season it failed utterly,
and it is so likely to fail at all times that it has not been deemed wise
to devote any further attention to it. The destruction by locusts dur-
ing the months of April, May, and June and earlier, was very great,
22 REPORT OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION.
but it is thought that the steps since taken for the protection of the
crops which were seeded in July and August have been quite effective
to prevent serious loss. The offer of rice for work in suppressing the
locusts, with the provisions of the law referred to, summoned the
entire population— men, women and children — and the result justifies
the plan.
The road work done at the expense of the relief fund has been
chiefly that of repairing former roads under the control and direction
of the provincial supervisors. The consulting engineer has been busy
preparing plans and specifications for the construction of what may
well be called " insular" roads, because they will lead from one prov-
ince to another or from one side of an important island to another,
and are too expensive to be built under the auspices of the provincial
government.
Rice has also been used in Ilocos Norte, in Tayabas, and in Cavite,
and possibly it will be used in other provinces for work done in the
erection of barrio schoolhouses. Almost the entire cost of these school-
houses is in labor, and the use of rice therefore, for the construction
of such houses, is very convenient. Under the laws and executive
orders safeguarding the expenditure of the rice, set forth in the appen-
dix and already referred to, the objects, places of expenditure, the
amount of work done, the price at which it was done, will all be shown
by accounts filed by supervisors of the provinces with the auditor, but
it is impossible at the present time to submit such accounts, for the
reason that sufficient time has not elapsed for their submission and
audit.
The stimulus given to the cultivation of the ground this year by legis-
lation and the efforts of the authorities has led to what is probably a
greater acreage for the planting of rice and other food supplies than
any year since 1889. Of course much difficulty has been found in the
absence of draft cattle, but the pinch of hunger and the instruction of
municipal authorities has led to the use of the existing carabao by many
different farmers and to some plowing by hand. The prospect is that
we shall have a better rice crop in nearly all the provinces, except, pos-
sibly, Batangas, than we have had for years. It was at first thought
that all the crops would be destroyed by the continuance of the drought,
but after August rain fell all over the islands, and the rice which has
seemed to be in a failing condition developed, and now gives prospect
of producing a fair amount of grain.
No cases of actual starvation have been brought to the notice of the
Government. In the provinces of Ambos Camarines, Iloilo, and
Batangas it has been reported that there was much suffering from
lack of food and this was doubtless true, but the people have always
found enough camotes or tubers and other food roots to avoid starva-
tion. Such food not properly cooked is indigestible and unhealthy,
REPORT OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION. 23
and while there were no deaths from starvation there were diseases
incident to bad and insufficient food which carried off many. Among
people thus badly nourished, cholera, too, found many victims.
The absence of draft cattle is likely to produce a change in the
amount of rice production in these islands under normal conditions.
In a number of provinces hemp is being planted. The hemp crop
does not need, except for purposes of transportation, the carabao.
The hemp culture is increasing very rapidly in Laguna, in Batangas,
in Cavite, in the Camarines, in Union, and in other provinces where
rice was the chief product. The importation of rice for the year end-
ing June 30, 1903, exceeded that of the previous year by about three
and one-half millions of dollars gold, and reached as a grand total
something over ten millions of dollars gold. It is hoped that no such
amount of rice will need to be imported next year, but it should be
said that if the culture of hemp, copra, sugar, and tobacco pays better,
the importation of some rice as food may not necessarily indicate a
lack of prosperity in the countiy.
One of the chief objects of the Congressional relief fund was the
restocking of the islands with draft animals. By Act No. 738 the sum
of $100,000 was appropriated for the preliminary expenses in the pur-
chase of draft cattle. The acting insular purchasing agent and a cattle
expert, taken from the agricultural bureau, were sent to every coun-
try in the Orient whence exportation to the Philippines was possible.
The purchasing agent advertised in Manila for bids at which 5,000
carabao, immunized from rinderpest, would be delivered in Manila,
but the uncertainty as to the percentage of cattle that would survive
the process of immunization prevented our securing a contract from
responsible cattle importers in Manila. The process of temporary
immunization consists in injecting into the circulation of the animal a
serum which will render the animal immune from rinderpest some four
or five months. Permanent immunization is only effected by a simul-
taneous injection of the serum and virulent rinderpestic blood drawn
from a victim of the disease. The inoculators of the board of health
of the islands have inoculated many carabao in provinces revisited by
rinderpest, to prevent a spread of the disease, and the loss has not
averaged three per cent of the animals inoculated. It was hoped that
the same result might attend inoculation of animals purchased in China
and subjected to inoculation at Shanghai. Accdrdingly, the acting
insular purchasing agent made a contract with the firm of Keylock &
Pratt, of that city, for the delivery in Manila of 10,000 immunized
carabao at the price of 88 Mexican pesos a head; an agent of the insu-
lar government to examine and reject carabao before inoculation at
Shanghai and to supervise the process, and the insular government to
share the risk of loss by paying 40 pesos for each head dying on
account of it. The percentage of loss from the treatment became so
24 REPORT OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION.
great at Shanghai that both parties to the contract were glad to modify
its terms by a new contract under which Keylock & Pratt agreed to
deliver 10,000 carabao of certain weight and age in Manila at 79
Mexican pesos a head, temporarily immunized in China and subject to
inspection at Manila. Thus far it can not be said that the contract
has been successful. The truth is that the imported animals seem to
be peculiarly susceptible to many other diseases than rinderpest after
they are brought here. We have lost nearly an entire herd of 200
from hemorrhagic septicaemia, quite a number from surra, and others
from a union of rinderpest and foot-and-mouth disease. In addition
to this, we received word through the State Department at Washing-
ton that the Chinese Government would forbid the exportation of
more than 1,000 animals. Our latest information, however, is that
the Chinese authorities will not interfere with the fulfillment of the
present contract. The following table shows the carabao transactions :
Statement November 20, 1903.
Shanghai cur-
rency.
Total number purchased under old contract 649, at $75. . $48, 675. 00
Total number dying at Shanghai after inoculation 435, at 40 . . 17, 400. 00
Total number purchased under new contract 721, at 79. . 56, 979. 00
Total 1,805 $123,054.00
or Philippine currency $118, 805. 45
Total number accepted alive 1, 370
Dispositions:
Sale by purchasing agent 91
23, at $100 $2,300
68, at 70 7,060
$9, 360
Transfer to provinces —
Rizal 105
Bataan 230
Laguna 51
Occidental Negros 20
Zamboanga 33
On hand in Manila 406
Missing 3
Died since acceptance 429
1,370
The Commisson passed Act 828 (a copy of which is appended under
Exhibit A) for the purpose of prescribing a method of disposing of
the carabao purchased in the provinces where they were most needed.
The insular purchasing agent is authorized by the act to send carabao
purchased to any province the provincial board of which shall request
it, upon approval of the Commission. Sales are conducted under the
auspices of the provincial board. The minimum price at cash sales is
fixed at 70 Philippine pesos. The privilege of choice is to be put up
for public bidding. Sales partly on time are allowed, but preference
REPORT OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION. 25
is given in choice to those buying wholly for cash. The terms of
partly credit sales are 93 pesos — 31 pesos cash and the balance in one
and two }rears secured by chattel mortgage on the animal. It has also
been the custom of the Commission to authorize the purchasing agent
to sell in small numbers carabao at 100 Philippine pesos a head for cash,
with the privilege of choice to any bona fide hacendero or farmer
coming to Manila to buy. Of course the prices fixed will not pay the
cost of the carabao, but it was not the purpose of the Commission to
charge full cost. The Commission understands the intention of Con-
gress to be to relieve the scarcity of cattle by furnishing them to farmers
at a low price.
If we assume that the carabao shown to be on hand and sold at the
time of the preparation of the statement given above will continue in
life, they have cost the insular government 126.65 Philippine pesos a
head, without counting forage and other expenses of maintenance,
which would perhaps increase the expense to 150 pesos. This is not
encouraging, but experience will doubtless enable us to reduce the cost.
The attitude of the Chinese Government makes it improbable that we
can procure from China more than the 10,000 already contracted for
there. It seems likely, though experiment will only make it certain,
that it would be wiser for us to import the so-called Indian bulls and
cows used now in the Straits Settlements in Java and in India for rice
culture, because, though not so strong, they are hardier than the carabao
and quite as good workers. I append hereto a statement as to carabao
transactions to November 20, 1903, by the insular purchasing agent,
as Exhibit C.
I also append a statement from the auditor showing the actual
expenditures from the Congressional relief fund as Exhibit D. From
this statement it appears that of the total sum of 1*6,000,000, appro-
priated by Congress, the sum of ^=2, 69 1,000 has been appropriated or
allotted by the Philippine Commission for the purposes of the act, and
that net withdrawals from such allotments have been made amounting to
^1,312,162.12, leaving a balance to the credit of the allotments amount-
ing to ?1, 378, 837. 58. There was in the treasury on December 1 to
the credit of the Congressional relief fund a balance unappropriated
of ^3,309,000, and a balance of the original fund in the treasury,
allotted and unallotted, amounting to ^1,687,837.58, or $2,313,918.79.
CONDITIONS AS TO TRANQUILLITY.
The conditions with respect to tranquillity in the islands have greatly
improved during the last year, and I think it fair to say that at no
time in the history of the islands has there been less ladronism than
as when this is written, December 10, 1903. At the time of writing
my last report the provinces of Rizal and Bulacan, in the immediate
neighborhood of Manila, were disturbed by marauding bands, which
26 EEPOET OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION.
are said to have derived considerable support from persons in Manila.
They were under the command of one San Miguel, who professed to
be the appointee of a junta representing the Filipino Republic. He
drew his forces from the purlieus of Manila and from well-known
ladrones, thieves, and other criminals to be found in the towns of the
two provinces. So active did the marauders become that the forces
of the constabulary of the two provinces were not enough to guard
the towns against their attacks and at the same time to chase the rob-
bers to their hiding places. Accordingly, use was made of the scouts
under the constabulary act, and this with very good effect. In two
engagements, one with the constabulary and the other with a company
of scouts, the ladrones suffered most severely, losing in the latter of
the two engagements more than 60 men by death, including their
leader, San Miguel. Shortly before the death of San Miguel, Apoli-
nario Mabini landed in these islands from Guam, after taking the oath
of allegiance. Upon his landing a note from San Miguel was handed
him, asking for advice. To this note Mabini responded by writing on
his visiting card that he had not been long enough in the islands to
answer, but that he would advise him later. The card of Mabini was
found on the dead body of San Miguel and was delivered to me by the
chief of the constabulary. I sent the card to Mabini by the hand of
Pedro A. Paterno, expressing surprise that so soon after taking the
oath he should open communication with men in arms against the
Government. He replied by sending to me a copy of a letter which
he had sent San Miguel, but which did not reach him before his death.
The letter was as follows:
Manila, March 27, 1903.
Sir: Since you ask me my opinion concerning your action, I will clearly inform
you in accordance with my method of thinking.
I do not consider that the liberty enjoyed to-day in this Archipelago can be fol-
lowed by independence through means of arms at the present time. The people do
not move because they have no arms, and even if they had them they would have
nothing to eat. Although you might find another nation that would like to furnish
arms and supplies, this nation also would like to annex this territory, and if this
should happen our misfortune would be still greater.
If we should proceed gradually, as, in fact, you are doing, the war would continue
and possibly our nation never would enjoy prosperity, because the war would finally
turn into a poisonous disease which would greatly increase our weakness. Under-
stand well that we are now killing each other.
It seems to me that at the present time we should endeavor to secure independence
through the paths of peace. Let us cease that the people may rest, that it may work
to recover from its recent proprietary losses. Let us conform to the opinion of the
majority, although we may recognize that by this method we do not obtain our
desires.
This is, I believe, the surest and most fit method in obtaining the welfare of all.
Let us deliberate and hold an assembly to treat of these matters. In case you are
in conformity with this and return to peace, determine upon the necessary condi-
tions that you should ask in order to save yourselves from any whatever vexations,
KEPORT OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION. 27
and if you think that I should transmit your petition to the constituted authorities
I am disposed to comply at any time.
There are those who say that your procedure is the cause of many abuses and
methods which are unfavorable to the country, but I believe that the remedy for
this, if it were true, is not comparable to the great poverty which would be born of
of a war apparently interminable. I believe that as long as the Filipinos do not
endeavor to liberate themselves from their bonds the period of their liberty will not
arrive.
Excuse me for telling you this. If, perchance, you are not in accord with my
opinion, this will not, as far as I am concerned, be a motive for destroying our for-
mer friendship and companionship.
Order your humble servant whenever you see fit.
Ap. Mabini.
General Luciano Sax Miguel.
Subsequently to this, Mabini addressed to me a letter in terms
following:
Manila, P. I. , April 9, 1903.
Honorable Sie: A few days after my arrival at this capital, I received a message
from the late San Miguel, sending greetings of welcome, and requesting my opinion
in regard to his attitude. In reply I sent him a card, thanking him for his welcome
and informing him that I had not as yet formed any opinion, since I had only just
arrived and did not know the conditions.
Weeks after, when I had acquired some knowledge of the true state of affairs, I
wrote a letter, in which I endeavored to prove that armed contention is ruinous to
the country and that the present condition of things permits only of a pacific con-
tention for the political ideals that one might strive after. I prepared this letter
against the time when San Miguel should ask me for the second time for my opinion.
On the morning of the 27th of March last a messenger came for the said opinion,
and I gave him the letter. But on the following day the messenger came back to
inform me that the letter had not reached the hands of San Miguel, who had been
killed, but had been delivered to an officer of his band for him to deliver to the sec-
ond in command. Later I turned over the rough copy of the letter to Mr. Pedro A.
Paterno, in order that he might inform you in regard to the contents.
I have just been informed that the letter is in the possession of Faustino Gui-
llermo, chief of a band, who, with his people, is disposed, so they say, to follow the
counsels given in the said letter. But there exists another and larger band, under
the command of Alejandro Santiago and Apolonio Samson; this Alejandro Santiago
is, according to reports, the successor of San Miguel. These chieftains have not
received the letter yet, for the reason that the frequent expeditions and patrols of
the constabulary render communication very difficult; no one dares to search for
them, for fear of falling into the hands of the officers of public order. They tell me
that it is necessary that the persecution should not be so active, if only for a few
days, for them to secure an opportunity to hold intercourse; or that a safe conduct
should be furnished them, so that they can send a person* to look for them and
deliver the letter.
I must confess frankly that the late San Miguel was an old acquaintance and even
friend of mine; but the chiefs above mentioned I do not know personally, and I am
not acquainted with their antecedents.
With these data, I await your determination, signing myself your humble and
obedient servant.
Mabini.
Mr. William- H. Taft,
Civil Governor of the Philippines.
28 KEPORT OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION.
To which I made the following reply, which ended the correspond-
ence:
Baguio, Benguet, April 18, 1903.
My Deak Sir: I have to acknowledge receipt of your letter of April 9, 1903, and
to apologize for my delay in answering the same. The letter was delivered to me just
before I left Manila for Benguet, and I had to delay answer until reaching here, and
until the letter could be translated. I have also read the copy of your letter to San
Miguel which you sent me by Senor Paterno. I thank you much for interesting
yourself in the maintenance of law and order in the islands and in presenting as
cogently as you do the necessity for peace and tranquillity. If I have understood
your letter to me and its request, you have in mind a surrender of the persons to
whom you have directed your letter, on condition of their receiving immunity from
ordinary prosecutions under the law. Could I be assured that this leniency would
secure quiet, and freedom from robbery and invasion to the good people of Bulacan,
Bizal, and Cavite, whose welfare we both have at heart, I should be glad again to
offer immunity to those to whom you desire your letter to be conveyed; but the
difficulty is, my dear senor, that purely out of consideration for the welfare of the
people of the three provinces, I ran the risk of allowing many criminals to go
unwhipt of justice and did authorize an offer of immunity to these very persons
should they come in and surrender all their arms — an offer which remained open for
some six weeks from October 1 to November 15 of last year. Reports came from
time to time that the offer was to be accepted, but finally nothing was done. There
was for a time suspension of the police expeditions in order to permit a general
surrender. The only effect of this was to exaggerate in the eyes of the poor people
of the towns of Rizal and Bulacan the prestige of those to whom the offers of
immunity were made, enabling them the better to terrorize such people, and to give
to the individuals in arms an excessive idea of their own importance. The negotia-
tion fell through chiefly because the men who made up the bands of these various
individuals belonged to the criminal classes, were confirmed ladrones and escaped
fugitives from justice, whom their leaders, even if they desired to do so, could not
control to the extent of compelling them to give up their arms which they needed
for their life's profession. They were all bent on a lawless life, were outlaws and
bandits, and would continue to be so whatever the government at Manila. True
they received reenforcement from time to time from the idle and worthless of
the neighboring towns and doubtless had assistance from some of the municipal offi-
cials, who, acting from motives of fear or gain, reaped a benefit from their complic-
ity and assistance. After this experience, and after a conference with the members
of the Commission, I reached the definite conclusion that patience with them had
ceased to be a virtue, and that the worst possible course to pursue with them, having
regard to the welfare of the Filipino people of the three provinces, was to temporize,
negotiate, or offer immunity to them. Most of them were criminals and had been so
since the Spanish times, and it could not reasonably be expected that they would,
even if they surrendered, return to paths of peace, fan Miguel was selected as
nominal leader and figurehead because the real leaders were jealous of each other.
Santiago, a very obscure person, with facility only for intrigue, has been selected on
the same principle. Apollonio Samson, Faustino Guillermo, Julian Santos (now
under sentence of death), Manilang (now dead), Felizardo, Montiilon, and Contre-
ras were the real leaders and they always have been robbers, kidnapers, and cara-
bao thieves, and Guillermo, Santos, and Manilang, and possibly some of the others,
were fugitives from justice under charge of murder. They are unworthy of either
the encouragement or sympathy of any Filipino of honor and integrity, no matter
what his views as to the present civil government, or the independence of the
islands. It is difficult for those who are sincerely irreconcilable not to sympathize
with any disturbance involving attacks upon the peace and order of the community,
REPORT OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION. 29
because they can hardly repress the hope that such disturbance, whatever the motive,
may embarrass the present government and ultimately germinate into a new insur-
rection. In the blindness of their zeal they are willing to sacrifice their own people —
for it is only their own people who suffer by such outlawry — to a vague hope that out
of pure ladronism, murder, and robbery may grow a successful revolution based on
patriotic sentiment. Those whose duty it is, however, to keep informed as to the
character and nature of these persons who keep up such disturbances know that
while these persons may receive encouragement and even material assistance from
irreconcilable persons of respectability, they are essentially only robber bands,
thieves, murderers, and kidnapers for ransom, determined to live on their neigh-
bors and willing to sacrifice any number of Filipinos to the enjoyment of an outlaw
life. They masquerade at times as ' ' revolucionarios ' ' in order to win the assistance
just mentioned, but they are nothing but ladrones and should be punished only as
violators of the law. Were there established in these islands a self-respecting and
responsible independent Filipino government, almost its first duty would be the
suppression and punishment of exactly this class of persons, who in their hearts
recognize no law and wish no condition of affairs save that of violence and rapine,
for in no other can they acquire a livelihood, or attain the position of prominence or
influence which their vanity demands.
I have written, my dear Senor, to you with great frankness, not with the idea of
publishing our correspondence, but merely to show you my exact attitude and to
explain why it is that I can not facilitate communication between you and the per-
sons whom you name, whose past history you say you do not know, because if I
were to do so, it would lend support to the view that I am willing to offer immunity
in case of their surrender.
I have the honor to be, with sentiments of very great respect,
Very sincerely, yours,
Wm. H. Taft, Civil Governor.
Sefior Don A. Mabini,
Manila, P. I.
Within a few weeks after this Mabini died of cholera. My letter
to Mabini states, with as much care as I can state it, the character
of the men who were engaged in disturbing the peace and tran-
quillity of Bulacan and Rizal provinces last winter. Subsequent to
the defeats in the field a secret service was established, in the two
provinces and in Manila, which gradually obtained evidence against
the persons who had been part of the ladrone forces. Alejandro
Santiago and Faustino Guillermo have been among those captured.
All the persons were brought to trial, and now most of them are in
Bilibid, either under sentences for long terms or awaiting execution.
The same result is being brought about in Cavite, where conditions
have much improved since last year, though the two ladrone chiefs,
Montillon and Felizardo, have thus far avoided capture. The prov-
ince has been thoroughly policed, and more than 150 ladrones have
been arrested and are on their way to. the penitentiary. Arms are
being brought in every day and the government is receiving aid from
the people in its work.
The arrest, trial, and punishment of certain criminals in Surigao
led to their being sentenced for long terms. This rendered the pris-
oners desperate, and in their desire to escape they communicated with
30 REPORT OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION.
some confederates in the neighborhood of the province, who at a cer-
tain time came into town to assist the prisoners. The prisoners
awaited a good opportunity while the constabulary were at their
meals, seized all their guns, killed the American Captain Clark, and
with the only guns in the town of Surigao took the town, except the
provincial building. This was occupied by the treasurer, Captain
Kelly, and the other American officials, who bravely held out against
the lawless band. From the provincial building telegraphic commu-
nication was had by the besieged with Iligan, the nearest military sta-
tion on the north coast of Mindanao, and the dispatch was forwarded
to Cebu and Manila. A small force of 15 or 20 men started by a
small boat at once from Iligan to Surigao. Colonel Taylor, the assist-
ant chief of constabulary, was reached by telephonic message, and he,
with a coast guard boat, took a force of men from Leyte to Surigao,
reaching there about twelve hours after the detachment of soldiers.
The criminal malcontents had deserted the town before Taylor reached
it. In view of the remoteness of the province and the nearness of a
military post thereto, I concluded to turn the province over to the
military, and the general commanding, General Lee, at once visited
Surigao with a sufficient force to restore complete confidence in our
power to suppress lawlessness. In a few weeks all the criminals
except Concepcion, the leader, were captured, and all the guns with
the exception of four or five were recovered. It is possible that had
prompt steps not been taken the trouble might have spread, but as it
was it was nothing more than a breaking of jail b}^ a lot of desperate
prisoners and their escape with the arms of their captors. It never
took on the aspect of an uprising of the population or an insurrection.
In Misamis the taking of the census, in which the enumeration of
cattle, hogs, chickens, and other animals was required, aroused the
suspicions of the people against the census enumerators because they
thought that these statistics were being taken as a basis for taxation,
and in the island of Camiguin, a part of Misamis, there was a rising
among the people, which was quickly suppressed, however, by one of
the scout companies. For the same reasons Avhich obtained in the case
of Surigao, I requested the aid of the military commander in Misamis.
The scouts and the constabulaiy worked together under the military
commander in Misamis as in Surigao, and subsequently all the lawless
elements were captured or killed and the living are now in Bilibid.
Both the provinces of Misamis and Surigao are entirely quiet, and the
people are pursuing their usual vocations without disturbance. At
one time during the winter there was a disturbance in the island of
Cebu. The pulajanes, who are a band of religious fanatics in the
mountains, attacked the civilized towns and succeeded in defeating a
small force of constabulaiy and in killing two of its officers. Colonel
Taylor, together with 100 men, inflicted such a severe defeat on them
REPORT OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION. 31
that their leaders were killed and their power was broken. Many of
the most violent were arrested and are now confined in the state's
prison. They present a curious combination of religion and robbery
and can hardly be regarded as of the civilized tribes. Cebu is entirelv
quiet now. Occasional reports of ladronism in the provinces of Iloilo
andOipiz, on the border between the two provinces, indicate that all the
guns have not been captured, but the conditions in the two provinces
are on the whole quite satisfactory.
The most serious trouble of this kind has been in the province of
Albay, which, due to its hemp production, is the richest province in
the entire archipelago. When the insurgents in command of the
forces in 1901 surrendered in Albay, two of the subordinates named
Toledo and Saria with a very small force remained in the mountains
with a few guns, but were unable to create substantial disturbance in
the province until a former insurgent named Ola, said to be a Tagalog,
left the town of Guinobatan because of a quarrel with a presidente
who had threatened to prosecute him for burning his house during the
previous insurrection while Ola was an insurgent soldier. Ola sur-
rounded himself with a number of malcontents, whose objection seems
to have been not to the insular government or to the American Gov-
ernment, but to the political rule of the wealthy hemp growers in
municipal governments in the province of Albay. It was the custom
there to elect rich men to the presidencias in the province, and there
may have been some abuse of power. At any rate, Ola's career began
as a protest against municipal tyranny and awakened the sympathy of
the poor masses. After he went into the mountains he was soon
joined by Toledo and Saria and there was begun a regular campaign
of collecting contributions, which was so profitable in the rich prov-
ince that the forces of Ola continued to grow. At the town of Ola
some of Ola's followers were able to secure assistance from the
townspeople and also from the municipal police in surprising
the constabulary who were there and taking away about 40 guns.
This of course was a great aid to Ola's force, and the disturbance soon
spread to the entire province. It is undeniable that there was both
s}mipathy on the part of the poor people with Ola's cause and there
was also fear of vengeance at his hands sufficient to induce inaction by
the people. In consequence a reign of terror was inaugurated through
the province which it was necessary to meet by radical measures.
Accordingly, authority was given, by section 6 of the act of the Com-
mission numbered 728, and a resolution of the Commission (copies of
which are appended) to the governor and the constabulary authorities
to bring the people from the outlying barrios, where they were exposed
to the invasion of ladrones, nearer to the populated portions of their
respective towns. Under the law it became the duty of the provin-
cial board to see to it that the people thus brought in were properly
32 REPORT OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION.
fed and not subjected to unnecessary privations. For a time the
action did not have any effect. No guns were being obtained, and
while the number of attacks by the ladrones was very much reduced
substantial progress did not seem to be making. The province was
visited by Vice-Governor Wright and Commissioner Tavera, who
talked to the people on the subject of their dut}r to suppress this dis-
order. The effect of the visit of these gentlemen and the policy
adopted of depriving those in the mountains of means of support was
finally crowned with success when Ola and his entire body of follow-
ers with all their guns came into Guinobatan and surrendered uncon-
ditionally. They were in a most ragged and pitiable condition. Later
on Toledo with his small body of followers came in, and most of
Saria's men having been captured, there is complete peace and quiet
in Albay. All the prisoners are being tried. Some have been sen-
tenced to death for particular murders. The remainder will doubtless
be sent to state's prison for long terms.
The effect of the disturbance has produced substantial financial loss
in the province. The governor estimates that hemp production and
sale have been interfered with to the extent of some ten or twelve
millions of dollars Mexican. Still the province is rapidly recovering
from the effect of the disturbed conditions. By telegram of December
8 Governor Betts advises me that "the clearances of hemp in this
province for the month of November exceeded any previous month in
the history of the province."
Ola could have been induced to surrender some months earlier had
the authorities been willing to grant immunit}T from prosecution. As
it had now become the settled policy of the government to treat per-
sons in arms in their proper light, as ladrones and outlaws, and not to
accept them as prisoners of war or to grant them immunity from ordi-
nary or criminal prosecutions, permission was not granted to extend
immunity. The reason which actuated the government in insisting
upon this course is that surrenders made with promises of immunity
do not ordinarily, when the dealings are with the criminal class, result
in anything but a temporary cure, for as soon as the hard effects of
the campaign have worn off the criminal thus pardoned in advance
feels a longing for his old-time business and returns to the woods and
mountains, there to begin again the practice of his profession of a
ladron. The confinement of the leaders, and all the rank and file,
under long sentences of confinement in the penitentiary has a much
more permanently tranquilizing effect.
In Nueva Ecija and Tarlac a man named Felipe Salvador, who pro-
fesses to exercise miraculous and supernatural power, has been
attempting to rouse the people of his neighborhood to resistance to
lawful authority and association with him in a kind of religious rite.
Their religious character, however, does not prevent Salvador and
REPORT OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION. 33
his friends from constituting a ladrone band preying on the neighbor-
ing country. Salvador has made one or two raids on towns, but he
has been punished severely in several engagements with the constab-
ulaiy, and has now withdrawn into an obscure part of Nueva Ecija.
As an instance of the character of people, that in the mountain dis-
tricts of these islands are reported as insurrectos sometimes, asladrones
at other times, as Pulajanes at other times, and as mere ordinary out-
laws at others, I copy a report from Lieutenant Guild in regard to the
action of three ladrones in Capiz. The report is as follows:
Oalivo, Panay, October 12, 1903.
Sir: I have the honor to report that on the 29th day of September two ladrones,
by name Ompong and Tuest, accompanied by one unknown, entered the barrio of
Ilijan, of Navas, and murdered 13 women and children. The constabulary of Ibajay
were notified the same afternoon, and at once set out for the scene of the crime. On
arriving at the barrio, no trace of the ladrones could be found, nor could any informa-
tion be gotten from the inhabitants, as they seemed terror stricken. The only
information of any value at all was that the leader of the ladrones, Ompong, had a
Remington rifle and 20 rounds of ammunition, but that his companions had only
spears and bolos. As far as can be learned, the killing was not done for the sake of
gain, but for the sake of one of the customs of the mountaineers. The child of
Ompong having died of cholera, he, as is their custom, went out and had these others
killed so his might have company and servants in the other world. The killing was
all done with the bolos and spears, Ompong simply threatening the men of the
barrio with his gun while the women and children were being murdered. The
killing of the people could never have occurred had the men of the barrio interfered,
instead of looking on and doing nothing. The country has been thoroughly
searched, but no trace of the ladrones found, and it is generally believed that they
returned to Antique Province, where they live.
Very respectfully, James J. Guild,
Third Lieutenant, Philippine Constabulary,
Commanding Second Section.
The Senior Inspector, Capiz, Capiz, P. I.
THE USE OF SCOUTS WITH THE CONSTABULARY.
The act of Congress authorizing the use of the native scout com-
panies under the command of those constabulary officers who were
detailed from the Regular Army has worked exceedingly well. Gen-
eral Davis and General Wade have both acted with the utmost dispatch
in responding to the call of the civil governor for scout companies,
and there have been in use during the last year from three to five
thousand native scouts operating with the constabulary. This arrange-
ment presents some anomalies which seem greater to the military com-
mander than to the civil government; but however unsymmetrical the
union of the two forces under a constabulary officer may seem to be,
it has had the immense advantage of enabling the civil government,
with native troops, to suppress disorder, It is of the utmost political
importance that the regular soldier}7, under a command more or less
independent of the civil government, should not be called in to sup-
wak 1903— vol 5 3
34 REPORT OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION.
press disorders and to maintain the authority of the civil government
until all the forces of natives, whether constabulary or scouts, should
be used for this purpose. Nothing could be further from the truth,
nothing could be more unfounded or unfair, than the inference that
the use of scouts in association with the constabulary for the suppress-
ing of disorder is a reflection upon the military establishment or upon
those who are in command thereof; but we know in our own country
how loth governors of States are to call out militia, and how loth the
President is to summon the Regular Army in the suppression of
domestic disorder. In this country it is politically most important
that Filipinos should suppress Filipino disturbances and arrest Filipino
outlaws.
RECONCENTRATION.
With reference to the act of the ^Commission which authorized, upon
resolution of the Commission, the provincial governors to withdraw
the outlying barrios of towns to their respective centers of population
and, in a sense, to reconcentrate the residents of the outlying barrios,
it may be said that this course is justified by the peculiar character of
the country and the wonderful opportunity that it offers a compara-
tively small body of men to terrorize an entire province and to allow
persons to evade the utmost efforts of large bodies of constabulary.
The act is appended hereto as Exhibit E. So effective is this system
against ladrones, if carried on properly, and so comparatively easy is
it for the people in this country, without great suffering or incon-
venience, to move from one part of the country to another, erecting
temporary houses of light material, that in Tayabas, which at one
time was much afflicted with ladrones under a man named Rios, to
whom I referred in my last annual report and who has now expiated
his crimes on the gallows, the so-called reconcentration was used vol-
untarily by the towns that were invaded by Rios and carried to a
successful conclusion before the central authorities were advised of
the methods pursued.
BANDOLERISMO STATUTE.
The treatment of ladrones by criminal prosecution has been most
effective. A statute known as the u bandolerismo statute " was enacted
in November of last }^ear to meet an emergency which then seemed to
be great. The statute is as follows:
Section 1. Whenever three or more persons, conspiring together, shall form a band
of robbers for the purpose of stealing carabao or other personal property by means of
force and violence, and shall go out upon the highway or roam over the country
armed with deadly weapons for this purpose, they shall be deemed highway robbers
or brigands, and every person engaged in the original formation of the band, or join-
ing it thereafter, shall, upon conviction thereof, be punished by death, or imprison-
ment for not less than twenty years, in the discretion of the court.
REPORT OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION. 35
Sec. 2. To prove the crime described in the previous section, it shall not be neces-
sary to adduce evidence that any member of the band has in fact committed robbery
or theft, but it shall be sufficient to justify conviction thereunder if, from the circum-
stances, it can be inferred beyond reasonable doubt that the accused was a member
of such an armed band as that described in said section.
Sec. 3. Persons guilty of the crime denned in section one may be punished therefor
in the court of first instance in any province in which they may be taken or from
which they may have fled.
Sec 4. Every person knowingly aiding or abetting such a band of brigands as that
described in section one by giving them information of the movement of the police
or constabulary, or by securing stolen property from them, or by procuring supplies
of food, clothing, arms, or ammunition, and furnishing the same to them shall, upon
conviction, be punished by imprisonment for not less than ten years and not more
than twenty years.
The difficulty of proof against persons known to be ladrones in fixing
upon them particular acts of violence or robbery and the necessity
for severe punishment led to the enactment of this statute. It is fre-
quently very easy of proof to show that the persons captured have
been members of an armed band running about the country, commit-
ting or attempting to commit robberies and murder, but to prove that
individuals were present at particular robberies is entirely impossible.
The act was therefore drawn to permit the proof of the existence of
the band and the membership in the band, beyond reasonable doubt, as
establishing the crime of ladronism. It is not too much to say that
the act has been most effective in securing convictions and ridding the
various provinces of this pest of centuries. The courts have had an
immense amount of labor to perform in hearing the various cases, but
they have responded with energy and with justice to the call, and both
Filipino and American judges have exercised much firmness in impos-
ing suitable penalties when the proof required conviction.
During the year several members of the Hongkong junta have come
to Manila. They have been required to take the oath of allegiance to
the government and after that have not been disturbed. I am in receipt
of a verbal communication from Senors Apacible and Agoncillo, the two
most prominent members of the junta. They have signified their inten-
tion of coming to Manila if they are not to be subjected to prosecution.
They distinctly repudiate having had any communication with San
Miguel or the recent ladrone leaders, whom they characterize as cattle
thieves and not worthy the support of men who have been actuated
by other motives. I have assured them that should they return to
Manila they would simply be required to take the oath of allegiance,
and if they thereafter lead lawful lives and take no part in the insur-
rection movements they will be wholly undisturbed. (December 18.
Since writing the above, Doctor Apacible has presented himself and
taken the oath.)
There is one Filipino, named Ricarte, who was at the head of the
plot to explode dynamite bombs during the Lawton funeral in Manila,
36 IfcEPOKT OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION.
and also set on foot a number of conspiracies to burn the city. He
was subsequently sent to Guam, and then on his return from there
declined to take the oath of allegiance and went on to Hongkong. It
is reported that he has quarreled with the other members of the junta
and that he continues his plotting. There is also said to be a social-
istic or anarchistic society which has its headquarters at Paris, directed
to the establishment of a universal democratic Filipino republic, on
socialistic lines, but, so far as we are advised, they have attempted
nothing in the way of actual operations, though they occasionally favor
the mails with their publications.
Dominador Gomez y Jesus was born in the Philippines and subse-
quently went to Spain where he studied medicine and was graduated
as a surgeon. He entered the Spanish army as a surgeon and served
in Spain during the two revolutions of 1896 and 1898. He appears
to have been a member of the junta of Madrid, organized to oppose
American sovereignty in the islands after 1898, and to have written
articles for a paper published in Madrid, called the "Filipinas ante
Europa." After peace had been completely restored in the islands,
Doctor Gomez came to Manila. His cooperator, Isabelo de los Reyes,
had organized a working man's union, called the "Union Obrera
Democratica," but having been arrested and subjected to criminal
prosecution for an illegal connection with a strike, he resigned the
presidency and Doctor Gomez was elected to take his place at the
head of the union. Subsequently Doctor Gomez also became the presi-
dent of the Nationalist party. By contributions from the members of
the Union Obrera, he was able to publish a newspaper called the aLos
Obreros." He was a man of considerable power of speech and able to
arouse audiences of the lower class of Filipinos by his grandiloquence.
It soon became evident that there were members of the Union Obrera
and of the Nationalist party who were very strongly in sympathy with
the ladrone bands, headed by San Miguel, then operating in Rizal
and Bulacan. Doctor Gomez recommended to me in his newspaper
that as a solution of the difficulties, we invite all the ladrones to come
in and surrender their arms on the agreement that we should guarantee
them immunity and insure them food or labor for one year. Subse-
quently Doctor Gomez applied to me for the pardon in advance of
Faustino Guillermo, second in command in Rizal, one of the most
noted desperadoes and ladrones in the islands, a man since captured
and now under sentence of death for murder, It was reported that
Doctor Gomez was using the Union Obrera as a means of collecting
money to run his newspaper, and to enrich his own pocket. This led
to the passage of a law, denouncing as embezzlement the diversion of
funds collected in such societies from the purpose for which the
society was organized and for which the funds were contributed.
Prosecution of Doctor Gomez was begun under several different
REPORT OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION. 37
charges. Under the first charge of organizing an illegal association
he has been convicted and sentenced for four years to Bilibid. There
are other charges against him for which he will be tried, including
embezzlement and aiding and abetting ladrones. His prosecution has
much assisted in bringing about the present satisfactory condition
throughout the Archipelago.
DISSOLUTE AMERICANS AND YAGRANCY ACTS.
One of the great obstacles that this government has to contend
with is the presence, in a large majority of the towns of the Archi-
pelago, of dissolute, drunken, and lawless Americans who are willing
to associate with low Filipino women and live upon the proceeds of
their labor. They are truculent and dishonest. They borrow, beg,
and steal from the native. Their conduct and mode of life are not
calculated to impress the native with the advantage of American civili-
zation. When opportunity offers, however, they are loudest in
denunciation of the Filipinos as an inferior, lying race. To rid the
country of this class of Americans the Commission passed two acts.
The first of these is No. 519, "An act defining vagrancy and provid-
ing for punishment therefor," and reads as follows:
Section 1. Every person having no apparent means of subsistence, who has the
physical ability to work and who neglects to apply himself or herself to some lawful
calling; every person found loitering about saloons or dramshops or gambling houses
or tramping or straying through the country without visible means of support; every
person known to be a pickpocket, thief, burglar, ladron, either by his own confession
or by his having been convicted of either of said offenses, and having no visible
or lawful means of support when found loitering about any gambling house, cockpit,
or in any outlying barrio of a pueblo; every idle or dissolute person or associate of
known thieves or ladrones who wanders about the country at unusual hours of the
night; every idle person who lodges in any barn, shed, outhouse, vessel, or place
other than such as is kept for lodging purposes, without the permission of the owner
or person entitled to the possession thereof; every lewd or dissolute person who lives
in and about houses of ill-fame; every common prostitute and common drunkard, is
a vagrant, and upon conviction shall be punished by a fine of not exceeding one hun-
dred dollars or by imprisonment not exceeding one year and one day, or both, in the
discretion of the court.
The second is as follows:
Section 1. Upon the conviction of any citizen of the United States under act num-
bered five hundred and nineteen, entitled "An act defining vagrancy and providing
for punishment therefor," the court may suspend sentence, conditioned upon the
convict leaving the Philippine Islands and not returning thereto for a period of not
more than ten years; and the fulfillment of this obligation shall be deemed as an
extinguishment of the prescribed sentence.
Sec 2. In such cases the court or judge may order the removal of the convict to
Bilibid Prison, in the city of Manila, there to remain in custody until he can be
placed upon a steamer returning to the United States. This order shall be executed in
the manner prescribed by the civil governor in each case.
Sec. 3. There is hereby appropriated, out of any funds in the insular treasury not
otherwise appropriated, an amount sufficient to pay the actual and necessary expen-
ses in carrying out the provisions of this act.
38 REPORT OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION.
The former of the two acts has also been useful in enabling towns
to rid themselves of Filipinos suspected of complicity with ladrones,
who have no visible means of support and who are probably spies of
the ladrones for the purpose of enabling them to make lucrative raids.
FRIARS' LANDS AND RELIGIOUS QUESTIONS.
As early as 1898, the Peace Commission, which negotiated the treaty
of Paris, became convinced that one of the most important steps in
tranquilizing the islands and in reconciling the Filipinos to the Amer-
ican Government would be the governmental purchase of the so-called
friars' agricultural lands in the Philippines, and the sale of these
lands to the tenants upon long, easy payments. The same policy
was recommended by the first or Schurman Commission after an
investigation by it, and in the first report of the present Philippine
Commission much time was devoted to the political phases of the rela-
tions of the four great religious orders to the people and the wisdom
of buying the agricultural lands and selling them to the tenants was
much commented on and approved. The Secretary of War and the
President concurred in the recommendations of the Commission.
Accordingly in May, 1902, the writer, as civil governor of the Philip-
pine Islands, was directed by the Secretary of War to visit Rome and
to confer with the Pope or such agents as he might designate in
respect to the question of buying the friars' agricultural lands and
other questions of a similar character which were pending between
the Roman Catholic Church and the Government. The negotiations
which were had on this subject in Rome were set forth in the corre
spondence published by the Secretary of War in his report to Con-
gress for last year. In a word, the Pope approved the purchase of
the agricultural lands of the three great religious orders that owned
agricultural lands in the islands and appointed an apostolic delegate
with as full powers as he could be invested with to bring about this
result.
The apostolic delegate, Monsignor Jean Baptiste Guidi, arch-
bishop of Staurpoli, reached the islands in the fall of 1902, and
negotiations were at once begun. In one of the letters written by
Cardinal Rampolla, contained in the correspondence already referred
to, he stated on behalf of the Holy See that the resources of the
religious orders would be taken into charge by the supreme authori-
ties for the benefit of the church in the Philippines, and it at first
seemed that the religious orders, with little prospect of reaping much
pecuniary benefit from the sale of the lands under this arrangement,
were not anxious to further the proposed purchase. Probably this
inference did an injustice to the religious orders in view of the event.
It turned out upon examination that the agricultural lands which had
originally belonged to the three religious orders of the Philippines,
BEPORT OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION. 39
to wit, the Dominicans, the Augustinians, and the Recoletos, aggre-
gated 420,000 acres. The Commission in 1901 had directed a survey
to be made by a Filipino surveyor or agrimensor, skilled both in
surveying agricultural land and in estimating its value, by name Juan
Yillegas. He surveyed between 1901 and 1903 all the agricultural
holdings of the three religious orders, except an estate belonging to
the Augustinians in the province of Isabela and an estate belonging to
the Recoletos in the province of Mindoro. He classified the lands
and placed a value upon the differing classes, giving data from which
it was possible to estimate the total value of the lands, except the two
estates in Isabela and Mindoro, respectively, already mentioned, the
value of which was determined by the agents of the Commission
from other sources. The event proved that the Dominicans had con-
veyed their holdings, amounting to 60,461 hectares, to one Andrews,
an Englishman living in Manila, under a promoter's contract; that
Andrews organized a company, under the supposed existing laws of
the Philippines, known as the "Philippine Sugar Estates Developing
Company (Limited)," to which he conveyed all the Dominican lands,
with the exception of a small estate known as San Juan Del Monte,
containing 156 hectares, which was held under such trust restrictions
as to prevent its sale. Investigation showed that the Augustinian
order as far back as 1893 or 1894 had conveyed to a Spanish corpo-
ration, known as the "Sociedad Agricola de Ultramar," all of its agri-
cultural holdings. It further appeared that the Recoletos had con-
veyed the estate of Imus, or rather the estates of San Juan and San
Nicolas, known as the "Imus estate," containing 18,419 hectares, to a
company organized under the laws of Hongkong or Great Britain.
The Mindoro estate remained in title and possession with the Recoleto
order of the Philippines. It became necessary therefore to deal with
the representatives of the title holders to the lands. The Domin-
ican lands, the title to which was in the Philippine Sugar Estates
Development Company (Limited), were represented by Senor Don
Francisco Gutierrez, a stockholder and managing director of the com-
pany. The Augustinian lands owned by the Sociedad Agricola de
Ultramar were represented by the attorney in fact of the compan}^, an
Augustinian friar, Padre Juan M. Yanez. The Imus estate, conveyed
to the British Manila Estates Company (Limited), was represented
by a }7oung Englishman named Marcus McGregor. The Mindoro
estate of the Recoletos was represented by the procurator of the
Recoleto order in the Philippines.
In order to determine the value of the estates, the representatives
of the various companies and other interests were invited to attend a
hearing, when various witnesses were called to testify. The apostolic
delegate was also present. A stenographic report of these hearings
is hereto attached and marked " Exhibit F."
40 REPORT OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION.
In addition to the hearings written statements were made by experts
for each interest and were filed with the apostolic delegate and with
me. The representatives of the various interests were not disposed at
first to welcome the presence in the conference of the apostolic dele-
gate. It was vigorously denied that the friars retained any titular
interest in the lands which were the subject of the negotiation, and the
right of the apostolic delegate to intervene was therefore questioned.
From the best information that I could obtain it was true that the
religious orders had parted with their legal title to the shares in the
new companies, except the Recoletos in Mindoro, and that it was very
difficult to find out just what their interest in the property continued
to be. That they had an interest, and a most substantial one, went
without saying, but, for reasons it is unnecessary to comment on, these
interests had been made as ambiguous and doubtful as possible. In
accordance with the agreement reached in Rome, I sent to the apostolic
delegate a request for a statement of the exact interests retained by
the religious orders in the Philippines in the lands which were the
subject of negotiation. No formal answer to this letter was ever
received, but informally it was stated to me by the delegate that the
authorities in the Philippines had informed him that they had so dis-
posed of their interests that they were unable to make a statement of
what their interests were, if any. The value of the lands, as estimated
according to the statements of the agents of the companies, aggregated
a sum between thirteen and fourteen millions of dollars gold. The
estimate of Villegas, the surveyor employed by the Commission,
showed the valuation of the lands to be $6,043,000 gold, if his value
in Mexican should be reduced to gold at the rate of two to one, which
was the gold rate about the time of his survey and classification,
though the Mexican dollar fell considerably after that. Considering
the bad conditions which prevailed in agriculture, the loss of cattle,
the dispute concerning title, and the agrarian question that must always
remain in the management of these estates and embarrass the owner,
I considered — and I believe the Commission generally agreed with
me — that $6,043,000 gold was a full price for the lands. The sum,
however, was scouted by the persons representing the owners, and there
appeared to be very little prospect of reaching an agreement. With
the knowledge and approval of the Commission and of the Secretary
of War and the President subsequently had, I sent a letter to the
apostolic delegate and forwarded a copy to each representative of the
respective estates, as follows:
Office of the Civil Governor of the Philippine Islands,
Manila, P. J., July 5, 190S.
Your Excellency f After a very full consideration of the subject, and with the
concurrence of the Commission, I beg to make an offer on behalf of the Philippine
Government for the so-called Friars' lands, which include, first, certain haciendas
at one time owned by the Dominican order of these islands and now owned by the
REPORT OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION. 41
Philippine Sugar Estates Development Company, represented by Mr. Gutierrez;
second, certain haciendas at one time owned by the Augustinian order and now
owned by the Compania Agricola de Ultramar, represented by the Augustinian
friar, Padre Juan; and third, the haciendas of San Juan and San Nicolas, generally
known as the Imus estates, at one time owned by the Recoleto order, and now
owned by ar English corporation, the British Manila Estates Company (Limited),
represented by Mr. McGregor, and also an estate in Mindoro of 60,000 acres,
still owned, as I am informed, by the "Recoleto order. The offer I am about
to make is, of course, subject to the approval of the Secretary of War, but if
accepted, it will doubtless receive his approval.
The members of the Commission believe that the evidence of Juan Villegas as to
the value of these lands at present is just. At the conferences between your excel-
lency, the representatives of the three corporations now holding title, and myself,
there was some discussion as to whether the fall in the price of silver and the varia-
tion in the silver standard in the gold values ought not to play a large part in
weighing Sefior Villegas' s evidence. My own strong conviction is that Senor Ville-
gas's evidence is not in the slightest degree affected by the variation in the price of
silver, for the reason that the persons who own lands and who buy and sell them in
the provinces where the lands in question are situated know no other standard for
the estimation of the value of lands than that of Mexican silver. It may be that
indirectly the fall in the price of silver will ultimately affect the value of these lands
in silver, and it is possible that some slight increase has already taken place in the
value of the lands estimated in silver. But it seems clear from the evidence that
the increase is not at all commensurate with the fall in silver. Nevertheless, for the
purpose of reaching an agreement, we are willing to waive any such discussion by
treating the value placed by Senor Villegas on the lands in Mexican as a value to be
reduced to gold at the ratio of two to one. This ratio in fact did prevail when Senor
Villegas began his surveys in November, 1901, but very soon changed. This is a
concession which amounts to an increase in the valuation of the land over what it
would be at the present rate of Mexican of a little less than 20 per cent.
I inclose herewith as Exhibit G detailed and summarized statements of the various
valuations of Senor Villegas, who has examined and placed a value upon all the
estates involved in this matter, except an estate of the Augustinians in Isabela of
some 60,000 acres, which is almost wholly unimproved, and an estate of the Reco-
letos in Mindoro of about the same extent. I asked Mr. Webber, the manager of
the General Tobacco Company, who knows the Isabela estate well, what value he
placed upon it. He said that at one time he had offered one hundred thousand gold
for it, but that the offer was declined. I asked him if he would give one hundred
and fifty thousand or two hundred thousand for it in gold, and he said that he
would give $200,000 for it in gold if he could obtain free admission of Chinese labor-
ers into the islands. I said to him that that was impossible, and then he said that
he would not give $150,000 for the land. The value of this land is in the statement
assessed at $300,000 Mexican, which is a full price. The Mindoro estate is fixed at
$600,000 Mexican, because of definite information that this estate, together with the
cattle on it, was offered as late as last fall to certain gentlemen in the city of Manila
for $700,000 Mexican, and that the offer was declined. At that time the gold Mexican
ratio was between two-forty and two-fifty. The other valuations in the inclosed
statement are taken from Senor Villegas' s evidence. The total valuations in Mexican
are as follows:
The Dominican lands $5, 473, 799. 13
The Augustinian lands 4, 407, 335. 65
The Recoleto lands 2, 205, 303. 33
Making a total in Mexican currency of 12, 086, 438. 11
42 REPORT OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION.
The civil government proposes to pay for a good title to these lands, free and unin-
cumbered, the prices above named reduced to gold at the ratio of two to one, as
follows:
For the Dominican lands $2,736,899.57
For the Augustinian lands 2,203,667.83
For the Recoleto lands 1, 102, 651. 67
Making a total in gold of 6, 043, 219. 07
I have sent a copy of this letter of the representatives who were present at our
conferences, Senor Gutierrez for the Dominican lands, Padre Juan for the Augustin-
ian lands, and Mr. McGregor for the Imus estate. I have not seen any representative
of the Mindoro estate, and so assume that your excellency either represents the Order
of the Eecoletos or will forward a copy, if you deem it wise, to the proper person.
I have so often said to your excellency and to the representatives of these estates
that the motive of the Government in taking this land is purely political, and not
for the purpose of profit, that perhaps it is unnecessary to repeat it. Still, as this is
a formal offer, it may not be improper to state again that the civil government in
making the purchase at the prices herein named, if they shall be accepted, has not
the slightest idea that it will make any profit in disposing of the lands, in accordance
with the act of Congress, to the tenants who now occupy it. On the contrary, the
members of the Commission are confident that it will result in a pecuniary loss to
the civil government. It is hoped that if the Government takes charge of the land,
it will be better able to secure peaceable possession of the land and an attornment of
the tenants than would private corporations, especially those in which the Spanish
friars are supposed to have a large interest. What the Government proposes is to
buy a lawsuit, and something more than a lawsuit, an agrarian dispute. If peaceable
transfer of the title to these lands from the corporations now claiming ownership in
them to the tenants in possession could be accomplished without the intervention
of the civil government, the civil government would be most anxious to avoid any
intervention in the matter at all. Indeed it would be to its interest to contribute by a
substantial sum to this peaceable result. While we hope that ownership by the Gov-
ernment may accomplish good, the hope is largely based on conjecture. Certainly
the purchase of these lands will mean the assumption of another very heavy burden
by the Government in addition to those which it is now attempting to carry. We are
convinced that it would be greatly to the advantage of the present owners of the
land to accept the offer. It involves the expenditure of $6,000,000 gold, a sum which
must be secured by issuing bonds to that amount under the act of Congress. The
members of the Commission are unanimously of opinion that the disadvantage of any
substantial increase of such a financial burden would outweigh any advantage which
might accrue from the Government ownership of the lands.
In making this offer I beg to call your excellency's attention to the fact that the
Secretary of War, in a telegraphic dispatch, a copy of which I transmitted to his
eminence, Cardinal Rampolla, in my letter of July 15, 1902, requested that a detailed
statement of the interests retained by the monastic orders in the corporate stock of
the companies now claiming to own the lands be furnished to me by the Apostolic
Delegate, who was to be sent to the Philippine Islands, in order that the statement
might be made the basis for the proposed negotiation. The request of the Secretary
was acquiesced in by Cardinal Rampolla. In February, 1903, I invited your excel-
lency's attention to this matter and requested that the details requested be furnished.
I have as yet received no formal reply. Without waiting for it, however, I have
ventured to make this offer with the hope that if it is accepted further investigation
and discussion may be avoided.
With the hope that your excellency will find it consistent with your views of the
EEPOKT OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION. 43
situation to advise the representatives of the owners of these lands to accept this
offer, I beg to subscribe myself, with great respect,
Your excellency's most obedient servant,
Wm. H. Taft, Civil Governor.
Monsignor Jean Baptiste Guidi,
Archbishop of Staurpoli and Apostolic Delegate
to the Philippine Islands, Manila.
I received a negative answer from all of the representatives. Not
discouraged, however, by circumstances that seemed most discourag-
ing, the apostolic delegate bent his energies to bringing the parties to
a settlement. After some negotiation the delegate first stated that he
thought he could arrange a sale for $10,500,000 gold. I told him
there was no hope of bringing about a purchase at that figure. Some
months later I was advised by Mr. McGregor that if an offer was
made for $8,500,000 he thought he could compass the sale. This was
definitely declined. I then advised the apostolic delegate and those
interested that 1 would recommend to the Commission and the Secre-
tary of War an increase in the price offered, for the sake of peace,
of $1,500,000, but no more. Then followed a long and protracted
discussion between the parties who were to be the venders as to how
this sum should be divided, and there was much difficulty in arriving
at a solution — so great a difficulty, indeed, that I was informed that
unless $7,770,000 was paid there was no hope of reaching an agree-
ment. With the approval of the Secretary of War and the Commis-
sion, I replied that $7,543,000 was our ultimatum and that we would
not give more than that, and this was ultimately the basis upon which
the price was fixed. It turned out, upon further investigation, that the
Augustinian Company and the Sociedad Agricola de Ultramar had
contracted to sell the Mandaloya estate, which lay in the province of
Rizal and extended from the city of Manila to the town of Pasig along
the Pasig River, at a certain price, and that a strip 150 meters wide by
6 kilometers running along the river had been contracted to be sold to
the railroad company for mercantile purposes. The Mandaloya estate
is a poor estate, from an agricultural standpoint, and its use for mer-
cantile purposes we were entirely willing to acquiesce in, because it
would not present the difficulties concerning agricultural tenancy as
the remainder of the land. The estate contains about 10,000 acres.
By omitting this from the land sold and deducting the price fixed by
Villegas, with 25 per cent added thereto, and making certain other
reductions for parcels sold bona fide by the owners, and leaving to the
Sugar Estates Development Company a tract of sugar land of 2,500
acres on the hillside of the Calamba estate, we finally closed the pur-
chase of upward of 410,000 acres, at a price of $7,239,000 gold. Copies
of the contracts of sale are hereby appended and marked Exhibit H.
It is thought that the result of these negotiations and the purchase
of the lands form a most important step in the rehabilitation of the
44 REPORT OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION.
people of the islands and the readjustment of their relations to the
Roman Catholic Church, which can not but be of material benefit in a
political way to the insular and provincial governments. The disposi-
tion of the lands to the tenants on contracts of sale with easy payments
for a number of years entails a work of tremendous labor upon the
insular government and will necessitate the organization of a separate
bureau for that purpose. We can not prophesy that the adjustment
will rid us entirely of the agrarian questions. There will be doubtless
litigation and local centers of disturbance growing out of government
landlordism; but the elimination of the friars from the question can
not but tend greatly to facilitate satisfactory adjustments. During
the last six months I have been in receipt of petitions from tenants
in the provinces of Cavite and Laguna, where the agrarian question
has been most bitter, urging the purchase of the lands, with a state-
ment that the tenants fully understood that the lands are to be sold
to them and that they are to pay for the same. The visit to Rome
was watched with intense interest by the people of the islands, and
had it not resulted in a purchase of the lands, my judgment is that
great disappointment would have been felt. As will be seen by a
statement which follows, the number of friars in the islands is rapidly
diminishing from year to year, and with the adjustment of the land
question and the division of the proceeds between the orders and the
church and the use of the part belonging to the Roman Church for the
improvement of the Philippine church, we may reasonably hope that
in a decade the agrarian and political question of the friars in the
Philippines will have been completely removed from among the obsta-
cles to good government with which the Americans, in coming to the
islands and assuming control thereof, were confronted.
Arrangements are being made for the floating of the bonds neces-
sary to raise the money to pay for the lands. It is understood that
the bonds may be floated at 4 per cent and that they will take the form
of bonds payable after ten and before thirty years at the option of the
Government. This will entail an interest charge upon the revenues
of the Government of $290,000 a year in addition to the expense of
administration, which will be considerable. It is not thought that the
income from the islands for several years will be enough to meet the
actual outgo, but with a restoration of normal conditions — speaking
for myself alone — I hope that the lands will sell for as much as we
have paid for them. Other members of the Commission do not think
so. It is to be noted, however, that the insular government has not
entered upon the purchase of these lands with a view to a profitable
investment, but that it is knowingly paying a considerable sum of
money merely for the purpose of ridding the administration of the
government in the islands of an issue dangerous to the peace and
prosperity of the people of the islands.
REPORT OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION. 45
Following the policy which it was announced by the Vatican would
be pursued, the bishops who were Spanish friars in all the dioceses of
the islands have been allowed to resign and their places have been filled
by American Catholic bishops. I can not state with too much emphasis
the satisfaction I feel in this change. It means, in my judgment, the
beginning of a new era in the islands. It is to be expected that a large
part of the people of the islands will continue to be communicants of
the Roman Catholic Church, and it can not but have a liberalizing
effect upon them that their bishops shall be Americans with the Ameri-
can ideas of a separation of church and state, and with the American
respect for individual rights and individual liberties. The powerful
influence of a Roman Catholic bishop in his diocese, exercised over the
priests of his diocese, can not but be productive of good and full of
cooperation in our purpose to educate these people. A comparatively
small number of Spanish friars remains in the islands, and it is to be
expected that the American bishops shall use them for the benefit of
the Church, though it is hoped that there will be no departure from
the policy of the Church announced by Cardinal Rampolla in his letter
to me, in which he said that it was not the intention of the Roman
Catholic authorities to send back the Spanish friars to any parishes in
which the majority of the people were opposed to their coming.
I am officially informed by the apostolic delegate that in 1898 the
number of friars in the islands was as follows:
Dominicans ........ 233
Recoletos ..' 327
Augustinians 346
Franciscans 107
Total . 1,013
That, by December 1, 1902, they had been reduced as follows:
Dominicans 127
Recoletos ..-..-—,..-- 76
Augustinians Ill
Franciscans 66
Total 380
And that, by December 1, 1903, they have been still further reduced,
so that the number in the islands is as follows:
Dominicans 83
Recoletos 53
Augustinians 67
Franciscans .43
Total L: 246
46 REPORT OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION.
That many of the monks are old and infirm, incapable of doing
parish or any other work, and that the Dominicans have renounced
before the Holy See all their former parishes and dedicate themselves
exclusively to teaching.
Whatever may happen during the first few months of the coming of
the American bishops, it is certain that the spirit of the American
Catholic Church is so different from that of the Spanish church from
a political standpoint, that the influence of the Spanish friars will
gradually wane and that of the American bishops become controlling.
The purchase of the friars' land, the division of the proceeds, the
application of a large part thereof for the benefit of the Philippine
church, the establishment of the American hierarchy here, and the
gradual withdrawal of the Spanish friars, all will bring about what
we so much desire — the Americanizing of the Roman Catholic
Church in the Philippines. The attitude of the Government has
been very much criticised by some American Catholic priests and
bishops, and it has been charged that we have withheld from
Spanish friars the protection assured to them by the treaty of
Paris, and that we have been neglectful in not protecting the
interests of the Roman Catholic Church when they were unjustly or
unlawfully attacked by schismatics under Aglipay. These charges
are wholly unfounded, as may be seen by an examination of the records
taken from the executive files showing the executive decision and
action with respect to religious matters, which is hereby appended as
a part of this report and marked ' ' Exhibit I. " We have known that the
great majority of the people of these islands were strongly opposed to
the return of the Spanish friars to their parishes, and we have felt
certain that if such a policy were adopted and the friars were sent
back there would necessarily follow disturbances of the peace and
discontent among the people; that the people would not be able to
distinguish between a government which protected friars going back
of their own volition and a government which sent the friars back and
maintained them in their pastorates. Therefore the Government has
deprecated and still deprecates the return of the friars to their
parishes, and has made representations to the church authorities in
these islands and to the Vatican, urging that the Spanish friars be not
sent back, but when a friar has been sent back, the Government has
never refused to protect him in his rights and to punish those who
have violated his rights. There is the utmost religious freedom
enjoyed in these islands, and no one, whether Roman Catholic, Filipino
Catholic, or Protestant, is disturbed in worshipping God as he chooses.
The instances in which one sect has interfered with another are com-
paratively few, but in every case the Government has sought to punish
the offender and to prevent a recurrence of the trouble.
REPORT OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION. 47
BUSINESS CONDITIONS.
Business conditions in Manila, if the general report from American
merchants can be trusted, have not been good during the year. The
change in the currency from a silver to a gold standard has been in
progress. The demand for Mexican silver in this business, up to the
time of writing this report, in other places has been sufficiently great
to drain the islands of Mexican silver, though there are indications,
as this is written, that it may become profitable to import Mexican
silver again. Of course the great difficulty in getting into circulation
the new coinage grows out of the fact that Mexican silver is worth
less than the Philippine peso, as established by act of Congress, by
about 10 per cent, and everyone, business men or not, in paying his
debts and making his purchases, naturally prefers to use the poorer
currency when it will go as far as the more valuable, because of the
ignorance of the people as to the real difference in value. The steps
taken to maintain the parity, the laws passed, and the accumulation of
a reserve fund, I shall not dwell upon because they will all be contained
in the report of the secretary of finance and justice. It is only neces-
sary to remark here that the advantages of the new coinage will not be
apparent until some time in the future; not until January 1, 1904, can
the Mexican coin be demonetized and denied a legal-tender value.
The policy of the government is to purchase the Spanish-Filipino
coins, of which there are some ten or twelve millions of dollars in the
islands, and recoin them into Filipino pesos.
Notwithstanding the statement that business conditions in the islands
have been exceedingly unfavorable, and in spite of the very depressing
agricultural condition, so far as rice, corn, and other food products are
concerned, the statistics as to exports and imports into the islands
show a considerable improvement for the better over last year and a
substantial increase in the production and exportation of hemp and
copra. In the fiscal year ending June 30, 1902, the total imports were
$41,072,738, but of this 18,652,648 was silver coin. The total exports
for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1902, were $27,157,087, of which
exports the silver coin amounted to $2,423,200. Excluding silver coin
and gold to the value of $278,248 the total merchandise imported for the
fiscal year ending June 30, 1902, amounted to $32,141,842, whereas the
total merchandise exported, aside from silver coin, already mentioned,
and gold valued at $806,208, amounted to $23,927,679. In other words,
the balance of trade against the islands last year was $8,214,163. For
the year ending June 30, 1903, the total imports were $35,099,241, the
silver coin in which amounted to $2,077,137, and gold valued at $50,222.
The total imported merchandise, therefore, for the year ending June
30, 1903, was $32,971,882, or a gain in the entire year of $830,040. The
total exports for the year ending June 30, 1903, amounted to $39,668,366,
48
EEPORT OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION.
of which $6,366,106 was silver and $180,480 gold, leaving a balance of
merchandise exported of $33,121,780, which makes a balance of trade
in favor of the islands for the year ending June 30, 1903, of $149,898.
It will be seen that there is an increase in the exports for the year
ending June 30, 1903, over those of 1902, of $9,194,101. The total
foreign business of the islands, excluding coin, for the year ending
June 30, 1902, was $56,069,521, while the total foreign trade for the
year ending July 30, 1903, was $66,093,662, or a gain of $10,024,141.
It should be borne in mind in respect to all these statements that
they do not include any importations for the Army of the United States
which pay no duty and are not included in the statistics. The com-
parative amounts of the various commodities exported during the two
years are shown by the following table:
Article of export.
Hemp
Copra
Sugar .
Tobacco, cigars, and cigarettes
Miscellaneous
Total
1902.
$15, 841, 316
1,001,656
2,761,432
2,501,367
1,821,908
23, 927, 679
1903.
$21,701,575
4,473,029
3,955,568
1,882,012
1,109,596
33,121,780
The decrease in tobacco was due to increase of duties on tobacco in
Australia, Java, and Japan. The business of the United States exports
and imports is also shown by the following table, excluding always
the United States Government importations:
Imports from United States, excluding United States Government imports.
Exports to United States
Total business, exclusive of United States Government imports.
Increase total business
1902.
$4, 035, 243
7, 691, 743
11, 726, 986
1903.
$3,944,098
13, 863, 059
17,807,157
6,080,171
The imports of rice show the depressed condition of the rice culture
in the islands. For the fiscal year ending June 30, 1900, the amount
of rice imported was $3,113,423; for the next fiscal year, 1901, it was
$5,490,958; for the fiscal year of 1902, $6,578,481, and for the fiscal
year of 1903, it was $10,061,323. It is hoped that this abnormal
importation of rice will be unnecessary next year, and that the balance
of trade in favor of the islands will increase.
Some reason for the complaints in respect to business conditions in
the islands which come from the American merchants, may be found
in certain especial circumstances with respect to the American trade
in the islands that are not a legitimate cause for complaint. When
the Americans first entered the islands, enterprising business men fol-
lowed the army and established what were called trading companies,
which naturally catered to the demand caused by the presence of the
REPORT OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION. 49
army and the Americans that followed in its wake. The army was
rapidly increased, until during the }^ear 1900 there were in the Archi-
pelago upward of 70,000 troops distributed through the islands in 600
posts. This presented an opportunity for the sale of liquors and
other goods likely to be purchased by soldiers, which continued for
two 3^ears or more. The army has now been reduced from 70,000
men to a little more than 15,000 Americans, and the number of posts
has been reduced from 600 to a few more than 100. In addition to
this the Commission has passed an act forbidding the sale of liquor
within 2 miles of an army reservation, which it is said has much
interfered with the canteen trade. The enormous profits which were
reaped by the American trading companies (of which there are some
half a dozen in Manila), growing out of the demand produced by the
presence of 70,000 soldiers, fell off rapidly as the changes which. I
have indicated took place, and to this, more than any other one cause,
is due the interference with large returns upon much of the American
capital invested in the islands. I venture to say that the opportu-
nities which the American merchants have had for making quick and
large profits out of the American soldier has had a bad effect upon
American methods of doing business and upon the attitude of most of
the American merchants in these islands. It has made them feel inde-
pendent of the Filipino demand for American commodities. It has
lessened the necessity for effort on their part to create a demand among
the Filipino people for those articles which the United States can make
and ought to sell in these islands. The natural hostility of the Ameri-
can business men growing out of the war was not neutralized by a
desire and an effort to win the patronage and good will of the Filipino.
The American business men controlled much of the advertising in
the American papers, and the newspapers naturally reflected the
opinions of their advertisers and subscribers in the advocacy of most
unconciliatory measures to the native Filipinos and in decrying all
efforts of the government to teach Filipinos how to govern by asso-
ciating the more intelligent of them in the government. One of the
first principles of good business success is not to antagonize unneces-
sarily those whose patronage you seek and must depend on for the
building up of your business. The number of Americans that the
American merchants or any merchants in these islands can count upon
for business demands is never likely to exceed 20,000. The number
of Filipinos whose trade might make a most lucrative business in these
islands is 7,000,000. It would seem to be the wiser policy on the part
of the American merchant to cultivate the good will of those potential
patrons rather than through the press and in society and in all other
ways to antagonize them, to give the impression of bitter hostility and
racial prejudice toward them too deep to be overcome. Neither the
German nor the English nor even the Spanish merchants have allowed
war 1903— vol 5 4
50 REPORT OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION.
themselves to be put in this attitude. Indeed, there are a few Ameri-
cans who have pursued a different policy with respect to the Filipinos,
to their profit. I venture to predict that as the American business
men of these islands become more conservative, as more capital comes
in, the utter fatuousness of the present attitude of a majority of the
American business men of to-day of these islands will become apparent.
There is an immense field here for the sale of American goods.
The Filipinos are imitative, take quickly to new things, may easily
be taught, as their wealth shall grow, to regard American products,
which are now luxuries to them, as necessities. The sale of cotton
goods is almost wholly with the English houses to-day. The handling
of hemp, which is the largest export of these islands, is almost wholly
confined to foreign houses. There is not the slightest reason why this
business should not be done largely by Americans, especially in view
of the fact that the United States is the largest purchaser of hemp in
the world. It requires the investment of a very considerable capital,
the construction of warehouses in the various hemp provinces, and the
establishment of friendly relations with the hemp growers and buyers
in each province. The American business man in the islands has
really, up to this time, done very little to make or influence trade.
He has kept close to the American patronage and has not extended
his efforts to an expansion of trade among the Filipinos. Until this
is done and more American capital is brought here for the purpose,
we can not hope that the imports from the United States to the islands
will be increased in very large proportion.
PROPOSED OFFICIAL INSPECTION AND CLASSIFICATION OF HEMP.
About the beginning of this year complaints reached the Commission
that the hemp being exported from the islands was of very inferior
quality and that there was fraud in its packing. The Secretary of
Agriculture of the United States recommended investigation and
action, suggesting that if the Manila hemp continued to be of such
poor quality, purchasers and users of fiber would be driven to other
fibers and countries. It was recommended that the hemp exported be
officially inspected and classified and carry the mark of the Govern-
ment upon it to indicate its quality. A bill was drawn providing for
official inspection and classification, and it was submitted to discussion
in a public session. The public discussion satisfied the Commission
that little if any good could be brought about by such legislation.
Everyone who came to discuss the bill was opposed to it as it was
drawn. It was insisted that the only thing possible was to have an
inspection which should prevent false packing, but that governmental
classification would be not only impracticable but a serious obstacle to
business. It further developed that so far as fraud was concerned
the purchasers in America were completely protected by the ordinary
REPORT OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION. 51
terms of purchase which enabled them to reject the hemp or to recoup
at once from the price for any failure in quality. When the amended
bill was drawn providing only for the inspection into the packing and
for the punishment of false packing and of fraud in baling, a repre-
sentative of the American hemp purchasers stated that the bill would
do them no good because it was not radical enough. So far as we
were able to determine, the bill which was desired by the American
merchants was a bill which should forbid the exportation of hemp
of poor quality, and should impose such restrictions on the method
of raising and cleaning hemp as to insure the production of only
good fiber at a reasonable price. The discussion showed that much
poor hemp was exported for use in making paper and hats in Japan
and in other countries. Because of the high prices paid for poor
hemp, the faulty cleaning of hemp was much more profitable than
the preparation of the finer qualities. Inferior qualities of hemp are
produced by using a serrated knife in stripping the fiber. Men, women,
and children can use a serrated knife for hemp cleaning, whereas the
knife with the even blade requires the strength of an adult man. A
law forbidding the use of a serrated knife in cleaning hemp, or pre-
venting the export of hemp thus cleaned, would deprive many people
of a means of livelihood in the islands and would savor much of pater-
nalism; nor is a law of this kind necessaiy if purchasers use proper
discretion in buying the quality which they desire. The object of the
persons asking legislation, when analyzed, seems to be rather to secure
a law which shall hold the price of good hemp down. The bill proposed
has, therefore, been allowed to lie on the table, and it is unlikely that
any further action will be taken in the matter. The high price of hemp
always increases the production of inferior quality. This is a natural
economic result; if the dealers do not desire to pay high prices for the
inferior quality, their refusing to do so will soon bring up the quality
of hemp. The report of the committee on the bill, consisting of Gen-
eral Wright, is hereto appended, and marked Exhibit J.
SUGAR.
It will be observed that the value of the sugar exports from the
islands for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1903, was $3,955,568, an
increase of $1,191,136 over the value of the exports of sugar for the
fiscal year ending June 30, 1902. This increase was the natural result
of a betterment of conditions as to tranquillity, More than that, the
planters of Negros, where the increase chiefly was, had used greater
efforts than the landowners of the other parts of the islands to import
carabao to take the place of the carabao destroyed by the rinderpest.
The increase in the exports, however, should not be taken as an evi-
dence of prosperity in sugar production. I append a petition of the
Agricultural Society of Panay and Negros, marked "Exhibit K,"in
52 EEPOET OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION.
respect to the production of sugar in the Philippines, together with a
statement made by the collector of customs at Iloilo, Colonel Colton,
who has looked into the matter with great thoroughness, and whose
opportunities for exact information are great, because Iloilo is the
port through which almost all the sugar in the islands is exported.
The statement of Colonel Col ton is marked ' 4 Exhibit L. " I also append
a statement made by Governor Wright from data furnished him on
the same general subject, marked "Exhibit M."
It may be deduced from these sources of information that the sugar
production was first introduced into the Philippine Islands in the year
1856, and that the first official record of exportation is of the year
1859, when 5,427 tons of raw sugar were exported from Iloilo. In 1869,
7,344 tons were exported; in 1879, 47,625 tons; in 1889, 112,007 tons;
in 1899, 154,462, and the largest exportation in any one year was in 1892,
when 165,897 tons of sugar were exported. In 1901 the exportation
fell to 34,500 tons. In the early years the sugar production was car-
ried on by the use of wooden rolling mills worked by cattle, a process
resulting in a loss of from 40 to 50 per cent of the sugar. Some of
these mills are still in use, but most of them have been supplanted by
steam mills which extract from 3i to 7i tons of juice per day with a loss
of from 20 to 40 per cent of sugar. The sugar produced is classified as
follows: Class No. 1 contains 88 per cent of saccharine; No. 2 contains
85£ per cent; No. 3, 81 per cent, and damp 70 per cent. The various
qualities of sugar are produced in about the following proportions:
No. 1 quality, one-fourth; No. 2, three-sixteenths; No. 3 and damp,
nine-sixteenths. Sugar polarizing as high as 92 per cent is produced
by the old wooden mills in some localities of Panay. The expense of
production was a very large percentage. Under ordinary circum-
stances Negros should produce 150,000 tons and Panay 50,000 tons of
sugar annually on land now under cultivation. Those who have had
experience in the business assert that with suitable machinery, trans-
portation facilities and capital, the production could be doubled with-
out extending the area of land under cultivation; that at present there
are no means of transportation in Negros except for sugar brought to
the market by lighters from the estates of the owners, from 5 to 14
miles, depending solely upon the condition of the roads, which is usually
bad. The actual cost of producing sugar which is marketed at Iloilo,
per ton, is as follows: Tilling and planting, $22; cutting and carding
to mill, milling, bagging and shipping, $18, and delivering, $6, mak-
ing a total of $56 Mexican. These figures exclude material items like
interest, investment, taxes, or rents, which are hard to estimate. The
present selling price of sugar in the Iloilo market, based on the price
in foreign markets, is about $64 Mexican per ton, which allows little
or no profit on the sugar from the most favorably located estates, and is
considerably less than the cost of production on the interior estates.
KEPORT OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION.
53
The following table shows the quantity and value of sugar exported
through the port of Iloilo, b}^ fiscal years, since American occupation:
Year.
Number of
pounds.
Value.
1899
96, 831, 930
116, 258, 922
77, 089, 391
135. 687, 751
226, 056, 793
$1,873,183
2, 103, 344
1900
1901
1,471,281
1902
2,471,820
1903
3, 649, 536
Total
651, 924, 787
11, 569, 164
At first glance it would seem from the returns of 1893 that the
sugar planters were subject to congratulations upon the substantial
increase both as to price and quantity of their product, and the appar-
ently improved conditions. As a matter of fact, however, owing to
the increased cost of labor and the extraordinary expenditure for ani-
mals to replace those killed by the rinderpest, the planters are more
deeply in debt at the close of the 1903 season than at any previous
time in their history, and if it had not been for the low-ruling rate of
exchange enabling buyers to pay more in Mexican currency on prac-
tically the same gold prices as last 37ear, a large percentage of the
planters would have been entirely ruined and compelled to abandon
their estates. The planters have been steadily losing ground since
1899, and have only been encouraged to continue the operation of
their estates by the hope each year that their products would be
admitted to the markets of the United States at a much more favor-
able rate of duty than is now imposed. The shipments to the United
States have been very small; 71, 000, 000 pounds of sugar were exported
last year in vessels which cleared for the Delaware Breakwater ' ' for
orders." A very small proportion of this was shipped into the United
States, the larger portion being carried into Canada or England, and
all the sugar entering the United States, except one cargo which was
allowed to enter free during the brief period when there was no
import tax on imports from the Philippine Islands, resulted in a heavy
loss to the shippers. The islands of Panay and Negros are among the
most thickly populated, and the inhabitants and business interests
depend directly or indirectly upon the sugar industry, which is at this
time in an exceedingly precarious condition, and unless something is
done by Congress to relieve the situation there must be a total indus-
trial collapse in those provinces. Were there admitted to the United
States three or four hundred thousand tons — and there is no likelihood
that in the near future the exports of sugar from the islands to the
United States will reach any such sum — it would not have any effect
upon the price of sugar in the United States, but it would greatly
increase the prosperity of the two important provinces named. Sugar
is also raised in Pampanga, Cavite, and Laguna, but not so successfully
54 REPORT OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION.
as in Negros and Panay. The conditions prevailing in the islands of
Negros and Panay are typical of those throughout the islands. The
growth of sugar in Formosa is apt to interfere very largely with the
sugar trade of Japan, which already is hampered by a heavy duty.
TOBACCO.
The falling off in the production of leaf tobacco has already been
alluded to, as well as the causes for the same. I can not too strongly
urge the necessity for the reduction of the Dingley tariff in its appli-
cation to goods imported from the Philippine Islands to 25 per cent
of the rates therein imposed. I am confident that neither in the sugar
market nor in the tobacco market will the effect of the amount to be
introduced be materially injurious to any interest in the United States,
while at the same time it will be of the greatest importance to the
prosperity of the islands, and will be a most convincing argument
with the people of the Archipelago to show the real interest that the
people of the United States feel in the welfare of the Filipino people.
THE LABOR QUESTION.
American and foreign business men continue to complain of the
difficulty in securing good labor. This question was discussed in my
last annual report, and nothing has occurred since that time to change
my views. I think it would be a great political mistake to admit the
Chinamen freely into these islands as laborers. I am convinced that
the Filipino, as conditions settle, can be made a good laborer; not so
good as the American, not so good as the Chinaman, but one with
whom it will be entirely possible to carry on great works of construc-
tion. We are now employing 2,500 Filipino laborers on the Benguet
road, and our engineer reports that, wages considered, they are doing
good work. We had an unfortunate experience in obtaining labor for
this road, due to a misunderstanding with the proposed laborers, and
to the fact that the men were obtained from an undesirable class in
Manila and the neighboring provinces. It was fairly inferable from
the facts that the persons who agreed to furnish the laborers, either
intentionally or unintentionally, misled the laborers as to the terms
upon which they should be employed. I append hereto, as Exhibit N,
the report of the investigation made by the supervisor of fiscals con-
cerning the failure of the first attempt to employ large numbers of
laborers on the Benguet road. Since that time, however, the super-
intendent has been able to get Filipino laborers from all over Luzon,
and, as already stated, the number is 2,500 and it is growing. The
Atlantic, Gulf and Pacific Company, which is engaged in building the
great Manila port works, needing in its employ from 500 to 1,000
men, has adopted the system of making the laborers comfortable and
at home, and now can procure more labor than it needs, and good
KErORT OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION. 55
labor, too. The following letters from the vice-president of the com-
pany seem to leave no doubt upon this point:
Manila, July 2, 1903.
Sir: Answering your esteemed verbal inquiry as to our success with the Filipino
labor, we be«: leave to state as follows:
First. We believe that Filipino labor can successfully be used. We are employing
about 1,000 Filipinos, which is a practical demonstration that this statement is not
a theory.
Second. To successfully employ Filipino labor is, to the American employer of
labor, a new business, which has to be learned. If he can not learn it he can not do
business in the Philippine Islands.
Third. In general, the Filipinos have to be taught how to work. This requires a
considerable proportion of intelligent high-grade American foremen and mechanics.
Fourth. The way to keep the Filipino laborer permanently in one's employ is to
so arrange his surroundings that he is better off and more contented there than any-
where else. This we have attained by means of providing homes for the Filipinos
and their families; also amusements, including Sunday fiestas, and schools where
their children may be educated.
Fifth. We are opposed to the introduction of the Chinese. The only argument
that we can see in its favor is that it may somewhat expedite the development of
the resources of the islands. This temporary advantage is, we believe, overbalanced
and overwhelmed by the ultimate injury to both the Americans and natives in the
islands.
Sixth. We believe that the greatest need of the islands is the abolition of the
Dingley tariff as far as it applies to the Philippines. We want the American market,
not the Chinese laborer.
Very respectfully, Atlantic, Gulp and Pacific Company,
By H. Krusi, Vice-President.
Hon. Wm. H. Tapt,
Governor Philippine Archipelago, Manila, P. I.
Manila, November 12, 1903.
Sir: Referring to your esfeemed verbal request to state whether our subsequent
experience with the labor situation here is in accord with our letter dated July 2, on
this subject, would state that our experience since that time has confirmed us in our
opinion therein advanced. We are having no difficulty whatsoever with our Fili-
pino labor, who are doing the bulk of the work under our harbor contract.
The well-known civil engineer, Maj. C. F. Case, was recently at our quarry, and
can advise you, if desired, as to the state of affairs there.
I wish to strengthen the statement made in my former letter with reference to the
use of American foremen and mechanics. These men are the backbone of our organi-
zation, and a certain proportion of them are absolutely essential to the success of any
enterprise requiring labor. They are required both to lead and instruct the Filipinos.
They must be practical men and not afraid to work with their own hands. Our
experience is that about 8 per cent of American foremen and mechanics is advisable.
We are firmly convinced that the best interests of the Philippines demand the use
of Filipino and American labor, to the exclusion of the Chinese.
Very respectfully,
Atlantic, Gulp, and Pacific Company,
By H. Krusi, Vice-President.
Hon. Wm. H. Taft,
Civil Governor Philippine Archipelago, Manila, P. I.
I also append the report of Captain Couden, of the United States
Navy, upon the capacity of the Filipino for labor. He has charge of
56 REPORT OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION.
the large number of laborers employed at the Cavite Navy- Yard. It
is marked Exhibit O.
The new electric street railway company of Manila, which is just
beginning its work of construction, has had no difficulty in securing
all the labor it desires.
The Commission employed Messrs. Norton and Drew as railroad
engineers to make a reconnaissance survey for trunk lines through the
island of Luzon. This report has been published, but will be hereto
appended, for the sake of convenience, as Exhibit P. Mr. Norton is
quite discouraging in regard to the possibility of securing native labor
for the construction of railroads. I think that the facts do not justify
his position in this respect. The Manila and Dagupan Railway was
built with native labor, and the extensions which are now being con-
structed under franchises granted by the Commission are being built
by the same labor. It is possible that were a very general s}Tstem of
railroad construction begun all at once in the islands, the supply of
laborers here would be found deficient. In such contingency the emer-
gency could be met by special legislation permitting use of coolie
labor for a short period; but I anticipate no such necessity.
There is more importation of Japanese labor, but it has not as yet
reached any proportion likely to have an effect upon the labor market.
THE EFFECT OF LABOR ON THE INVESTMENTS OF CAPITAL.
There is no doubt that the iteration and reiteration of the deficiency
in the supply of labor in the Philippine Islands have had the effect of
frightening American investors of capital from coming into the islands.
The Commission is strongly desirous of encouraging American capital
to come here, but it should be noted that if American capital declines
to come that English, Belgian, and other foreign capital is merely
awaiting the franchises which are requested for railroad and other
constructive enterprises, and that it will be the duty of the Commission
to grant such franchises for the benefit of the islands. The owners of
English capital already invested in the Manila and Dagupan Railway
have accepted two franchises granted for the construction and opera-
tion of branches for that railway, and are very anxious to secure
other franchises extending their railway in other directions. They are
sufficiently familiar with the possibility of securing native labor and
of making it available for reasonably economical construction of their
works not to be frightened away from the accepting of such franchises
and making such investments. A reluctance on the part of American
investors will certainly lead to the acceptance of their propositions.
It seems to me that this much ought to be said by way of warning
American investors that when later on they shall come into the islands,
and shall find foreign capital strongly intrenched in many profitable
REPORT OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION. 57
enterprises, they will have only themselves to blame for a failure to
seize the opportunity when it was offered them.
The disposition to harken to pessimistic malign ers of conditions in
the Philippines may prove to be, in this sense, quite costly.
RAILROAD AND OTHER CONSTRUCTION.
The political conditions in the islands are now such as to make the
time ripe for a period of great construction. For the next decade
railroads^ canals, and steamship companies should revolutionize the
interior trade of the islands, and should have a most marked effect
upon the export trade. There are a number of short lines of railroads
that could be constructed, and doubtless will be, without governmental
aid, but there are other lines of longer and more difficult construction
which should at once be begun, but which we can not expect to have
begun unless there is actual governmental financial encouragement.
For this reason it seems to me wise that the Commission be authorized,
with the approval of the Secretary of War and the President of the
United States, to enter into contracts of guaranty with railroad com-
panies to whom a franchise for the construction of a road shall be
granted by which an income of not exceeding 4 per cent, and probably
not exceeding 3 per cent, shall be guaranteed on the investment, the
amount of which shall be fixed in the law. This method of financial
encouragement is much to be preferred to the granting of lands or
other forms of governmental subsidy, and I recommend to the Com-
mission that in its report to the Secretary of War, to be transmitted to
Congress, it ask for the granting of such power. It is very possible
that under the Philippine act, as now passed such power exists, but it
would greatly aid in securing public confidence if this power were
expressly granted.
HEALTH.
The cholera, which began in March, 1902, has continued in the islands
down to the time of writing. The number of cases was something over
150,000 and the number of deaths something over 100,000. The num-
ber of deaths and cases has been very much smaller in the city of
Manila than in the provinces which the disease has visited. This is
due to the fact that Manila has a water supply which has been care-
fully guarded from pollution. There is a great need of improvement
in the water supply of the smaller towns. The Commission has
directed the consulting engineer to investigate the cost of a plant for
driving deep or artesian wells in each province of the islands.
Few cases of plague have been found or reported this last year in
Manila. An outbreak of plague occurred in Cebu, disclosing an
unsanitary condition in that city that required some radical measures
on the part of the board of health to remedy.
58 REPORT OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION.
There is no bureau of government more important in the devel-
opment of these islands than that which is charged with looking
after the health of the inhabitants. The islands, though thej^ contain
8,000,000 people, are sparsely settled. The natural increase by births
should be far greater. The immense loss of life from infantile diseases,
before the age of 6 months is reached, is one reason why the increase
of population is slow. It is within the function of the health board to
encourage a better hygienic treatment of young children than now
prevails. The improvement of the drinking water, too, will much
decrease the death rate.
In connection with the subject of health, reference should be made
to the province of Benguet and to Baguio, the capital of that province.
The secretary of commerce and police will refer to the work now being
done in the construction of the Benquet road from Pozorrubio, through
Twin Peaks, to Baguio. There have been serious engineering mis-
takes made in the road, and it is proving to be much more costly than
was expected; but when completed its importance in the development
of these islands can hardly be overestimated. One of the things essen-
tial to progress in the islands is the coming of more Americans and
Europeans who shall make this their business home. If there can be
brought within twelve hours' travel of Manila a place with a climate
not unlike that of the Adirondacks, or of Wyoming in summer, it will
add greatly to the possibility of living in Manila for ten months of
the year without risk. It will take away the necessity for long vaca-
tions spent in America; will reduce the number who go invalided
home, and will be a saving to the insular government of many thou-
sands of dollars a year. It will lengthen the period during which the
American soldiers who are stationed here may remain without injury
to their health and will thus reduce largely the expense of transporta-
tion of troops between the islands and the United States. More than
this, Filipinos of the wealthier class frequently visit Japan or China
for the purpose of recuperating. People of this class are much inter-
ested in the establishment of Baguio as a summer capital, and when
the road is completed a town will spring up, made up of comfortable
residences, of a fine, extensive army post, and sanitariums for the
relief of persons suffering from diseases prevalent in the lowlands.
It is the hope of the government that the Roman Catholic Church will
send American priests as it has sent American bishops to the islands,
to assist in the moral elevation of the people. The fear of the effect
of the climate has kept many from coming. The Roman Catholic
Church authorities have announced their intention of erecting rest
houses at Baguio for the purpose of the recuperation of their minis-
ters and agents. The Methodists and Episcopalians have already
secured building lots in Baguio for this purpose. It is the settled
purpose of the Commission to see this improvement through, no matter
REPORT OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION. 59
what the cost, because eventually the expenditures must redound to
the benefit of the government and people of the islands. We have
already stated, in the report on the public-land act, that it is proposed,
under that act, which allows the organizing of town sites, to sell the
public land in suitable lots at auction so that everyone interested shall
have the opportunity to obtain a good lot upon which to build a suit-
able house.
schools.
One of the most gratifying things to report this year is the great
increase in the school attendance in all the provinces but one. This
increase is seen both in the attendance of children at day schools and
also in the doubled attendance at night schools by adults. Still, only
about 150,000, or 10 per cent of the population of school age, are
receiving public instruction. We have neither teachers nor school-
houses enough to carry out our purpose of giving primary English
education to every child of school age in the Archipelago. Our
resources are not sufficient to permit the necessary expenditure.
Several millions could be well expended in the erection of large, airy,
and healthy schoolhouses, and the number of teachers might well be
multiplied by seven. There is an intense desire throughout the islands
to learn English, and when one is familiar with the number of requests
for American teachers and for the establishment of schools in which
English can be taught, from Aparri to Mindanao, he is justified in
smiling at the utterly unfounded charge made by persons professing
to have some knowledge in respect to the islands, that we are forcing
the English language upon an unwilling people. Here is possibly not
the place to defend the policy of a general system of common school
education in the islands. I am aware that our plans for education
have been the subject of considerable criticism by men whose experi-
ence in eastern countries entitles their views to great weight, on the
ground that by giving education to the people we unfit them for agri-
cultural and other manual pursuits and inspire them with a desire to
succeed only as clerks and professional men. That the result of higher
education upon a people unfitted by training and moral stamina to use
it to good purpose may be productive of evil need not here be denied
or discussed. That superficial education frequently produces discon-
tent and brings about social disturbances may also be conceded. The
condition, however, which is most productive of social disturbances is
the existence of a vast mass of ignorant people easily and blindly led
by the comparatively few of their superficially educated countrymen
into insurrection and lawless violence without any definite knowledge
or certainty as to the beneficial results therefrom. The theory upon
which we justify, even on political grounds, the spread of education
is that the more the mass of ignorant persons is reduced in number by
diffusing among them common school education the less likely are
60 REPORT OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION.
they to be led away b}^ degenerate political fakirs into experiences and
projects that can lead to nothing but disaster. The common school
education does not unfit either the oriental or the occidental laborer
for manual effort, but it does enlighten him as to a more civilized life,
and does increase his wants and thus does furnish a motive for more
continuous and harder labor.
The Commission has thought it wise to inaugurate the plan of send-
ing to America each year for education an average of 100 boys and girls
of high-school age for the purpose of enabling them to become teachers,
lawyers, doctors, and engineers, on condition that for five years after
their return they shall be subject to call by the Government for public
service. One hundred boys were sent in October. Seventy-five of
the appointments were allotted to the provinces in proportion to the
school population and interest in the schools shown in the provinces.
They were selected in each province by the division school superin-
tendent after a conference with the provincial governor, and then 25
were selected at large by the Civil Governor. Seventy-five were re-
quired to come from the public schools. They left Manila in charge
of Professor and Mrs. Sutherland. They go to southern California,
and will, in groups of eight and ten, be sent to the county high schools
of that State which bear a high reputation. It is thought that by June
of next year Professor Sutherland, who will have general supervision
of them, may be able to classify them properly and distribute them
among the preparatory schools or colleges of the East. The pro-
ficiency of the students in English formed an important element in the
grounds for their selection. The plan was very popular and awakened
a great interest in every town in the islands. As far as possible the
selections made this year were by competitive examination. Next
year a more rigid system will be followed. Next year probably one-
third or one-half of those selected will be girls, with a view to their
education as teachers.
THE PHILIPPINE EXHIBIT AT THE LOUISIANA PURCHASE EXPOSITION AT
ST. LOUIS.
By Act No. 514, passed on the 11th of November, 1902, for the pur-
pose of securing, organizing, and making an exhibit of Filipino prod-
ucts, manufactures, art, ethnology, education, and habits of the people,
it was provided that there should be a board of three members, to be
appointed by the civil governor, with the consent of the Philippine
Commission. The board was authorized and directed to hold a pre-
liminary exposition of certain of the exhibits at Manila in the autumn
of 1903, and to establish a permanent museum in Manila. It was
authorized to secure the needed land from the authorities of the St.
Louis Exposition, to expend the necessary sums in the drawing of
REPORT OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION. 61
plans for the necessary buildings and for their construction, and for
the laying out of the ground included in the tract assigned to the
Philippine exhibit; to incur all necessary expenses in securing the
exhibits, including the necessary advertising, in the transportation of
exhibits from the point where secured in the Philippine Islands to
Manila and thence to St. Louis. The board was authorized to incur
in all this work obligations not exceeding in the aggregate the sum of
$250,000. The heads of all the bureaus of the insular government and
the governor and members of the provincial boards of provinces and
all municipal presidents and other officers were directed to furnish
ever}' assistance in their power to the exposition board in obtaining
the exhibits. The board was directed to render a monthly report of
the work done by it to the civil governor, and a quarterly account of
its receipts and expenditures to the civil governor and the auditor of the
islands. By another section the civil governor was authorized to appoint
five honorary commissioners to visit the exposition and to report upon
the same. One hundred and twenty-five thousand dollars gold was
appropriated to meet the obligations incurred under the act. Amend-
ments were made to the act subsequently, varying some of the pow-
ers of the commission and dispensing with the necessity for a pre-
liminary exposition in Manila, which proved to be impracticable, and
appropriating $325,000, making the total appropriation half a million
dollars for the expense of the exhibit. At the same time there was
obtained from the authorities of the St. Louis Purchase Exposition the
use of 40 acres of land, the promise of a contribution of $200,000 to
the erection of the necessary buildings at the exhibit at St. Louis, and
the proceeds of concessions granted in the grounds of the exhibit.
Dr. William P. Wilson, director of the Philadelphia Commercial
Museum, Dr. Gustavo Mederlein, his assistant, and Senor Pedro A.
Paterno, who had had much to do with a Filipino exhibit at Madrid,
were named the exposition board, and Senor Leon M. Guerrero, a Fili-
pino of high scientific attainments, was made the secretary of the board.
Doctor Niederlein came to the islands immediately upon his appoint-
ment, and with extraordinary energy has secured upward of 50,000
exhibits, which will probably be increased to 80,000. The Secretary of
War has ordered a battalion of four companies of Philippine Scouts
to be sent to the exposition, and the Philippine Commission has or-
dered two companies of constabulary and one constabulary band of 80
pieces also to visit the exposition and remain there while it is open.
Among the exhibits will be several colonies of the various tribes,
civilized and uncivilized, for the purpose of giving opportunity for
ethnographic study of the people of the Philippines.
The work has not been without its obstacles, but it is hoped that the
exhibit will be of interest to the American people and give them a
62 REPOKT OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION.
clearer idea than they now have, not only of the inhabitants of the
islands, but also of their extent and the variety of their products, the
work which has been done in the matter of education, their artistic
tastes, and their capacity in many directions. The section directing the
appointment of five honorary commissioners has not yet been amended,
but it is the purpose of the Commission to increase the number to a
delegation of from 30 to 50 prominent Filipino gentlemen of education
and culture, who will visit the exposition and various cities of the
United States at the expense of the insular treasury, with a view to
bringing the two peoples nearer together and to showing the intelli-
gent Filipinos what our country is and what our institutions mean.
At the same time this delegation will be able, in the congresses at
St. Louis, to represent with dignity the intellectual development of
the islands and to speak with authority upon the needs of their peo-
ple. It is thought that the large amount of money expended is justi-
fied by the commercial advantages to the Philippine Islands which will
follow an exhibit of its products and resources, as well as the great
benefit to be derived from a closer union and a better mutual under-
standing between the American and Filipino people. 1 append hereto
as Exhibit Q the report of the exposition board.
THE CENSUS.
The details of the taking of the census will doubtless appear in the
report of the secretary of public instruction, in whose department the
bureau of the census by law is put, and the rough results of the census,
so far as population is concerned, will there appear. It is sufficient to
say that the census was almost wholly taken by Filipinos under the
direction of General Sanger and his skilled assistants, Mr. Gannett and
Mr. Olmstead, and that on the whole the machinery proved to be very
satisfactory. The returns are now being compiled in Washington, but
will probably not be published before October of 1904. At the end of
two years from that date, if the President shall find that tranquillity
prevails in the Christian Filipino provinces, it will become his duty to
direct a holding of an election for selection of members for a general
assembly of the Christian Filipino people, which will be a coordinate
branch of a legislature to be composed of the Commission and the leg-
islative assembly. This will doubtless prove to be a most important
step in the growth and development of the Philippine people, and I
have abiding confidence that the conservative elements in the Filipino
people will accept this concession on the part of the Congress of the
United States as a proffered test of their capacity to avoid foolish and
impracticable legislative measures and of demonstrating the existence
among them of that self-restraint which is indispensable to the growth
of popular and effective self-government.
BEPOET OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION. 63
OPIUM.
Reports from various provinces and information from other sources
have convinced the Commission that the smoking of opium is spread-
ing among the native Filipinos. Under the Spanish regime Filipinos
were under penalty- of fine or imprisonment if convicted of smoking
opium, but opium joints or smoking places were licensed to be used
only by Chinamen. Under the tariff act now in force the tariff on
opium was somewhat reduced, on the theory that a high tax on the
importation of the drug increased the smuggling of it. The result is
that except for the tariff there is no restriction at all on the sale of
opium at present, except that town councils are required to pass
ordinances suppressing opium joints.
Commissioner Moses was appointed to draft an opium bill, and on
his resignation the task fell to Commissioner Smith. He drafted a
bill which, in short, forbade the use of opium by Filipinos, or the
sale of it to Filipinos, but provided for the granting of the monopoly
for the sale of opium to Chinamen for one year to the highest
bidder. The maintaining of a public place for the smoking of opium
was punished by a fine, and every Chinaman was forbidden to smoke
opium except on his own premises. This bill called forth consid-
erable opposition, especially from the president of the Evangelical
Union, of Manila. Doctor Stuntz, of that association, who had had
a large experience in India, was especially emphatic in condemning
the sale of the monopoly, which he insisted had a tendency to increase
rather than to diminish the use of opium. A very extended discussion
before the Commission was carried on, and communications were had
with the Secretary of War upon the subject. A stenographic report
of the discussion has already been forwarded to Washington.
The result was that the Commission hesitated to take action before
a more thorough investigation could be made into the methods of
dealing with opium smoking in oriental countries. Accordingly a law
was passed, No. 800, under which a committee was to be appointed by
the civil governor to visit the various oriental countries and make a
report upon the methods of restricting the sale and use of opium
which were in force in the East. Major Carter, surgeon, United States
Army, and commissioner of health of the Philippine Islands, Dr. Jose
Albert, a prominent Filipino physician of Manila, and the Right
Rev. Charles H. Brent, Protestant Episcopal Bishop of the Philip-
pine Islands, were appointed to make up this committee. Their
report is expected in February or March, and until that time action
by the Commission has been delayed.
CIVIL SERVICE.
The report of the civil-service board, which is attached hereto and
marked " Exhibit R," shows that the principles of the merit system are
64 KEPORT OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION.
being enforced with much rigor, that the examinations for places are
increasing, especially among the Filipinos, and that the proportion of
the places given to the Filipinos is becoming greater. In the next
three or four years the proportion of Filipinos in the government is
certain to increase rapidly. There are many places in the executive
departments which can only be filled by one who knows English.
The rapidity with which the Filipinos are learning English gives
assurance that this cause of their exclusion will not much longer
continue.
Americans responsible for the government of these islands have
suffered a most humiliating experience during the past year in the
numerous defalcations of Americans charged with the official duty of
collecting and disbursing money. The defalcations in the islands have
extended also to the clerical service of the American business firms in
the islands. The practice of the government has been to appoint to
positions of pecuniary trust, especially to those where the amount of
money handled was large, Americans alone. They were all placed
under bond in either the Union Surety and Guaranty Company, or,
later, in the Fidelity and Deposit Company of Maryland, or the Amer-
ican Surety Company of New York. The insular treasurer and the
insular auditor have had great difficulty in securing examiners in suffi-
cient number to make the examinations as frequently as the law re-
quires, and the immunity from frequent examinations, which in future
will not continue, may explain some of the defalcations. Everyone
connected with the government realized as soon as the defalcations
were made public the demoralizing effect that such revelations must
have upon the service unless such dishonesty was promptly punished.
A still more serious result was the effect upon the Filipinos, who had
been advised that Americans would be honest where others had not
been so careful in accounting for public money. Prosecutions were
vigorously begun against all defaulting officers, and the surety com-
panies have responded when shown their liability.
So far as is known, the only defaulting officer who has escaped
trial is a deputy collector named Stewart, at Iloilo, who managed to
reach the United States at a time when there was no extradition law.
It is hoped that he will be apprehended and brought back. In other
cases defaulting officials have reached Hongkong, Shanghai, or even
Montreal before their arrest, but the insular government, sparing no
effort or expense, has succeeded in bringing them to their well-deserved
punishment. Two defaulters, though tried, have escaped conviction
of embezzlement on the ground that others had stolen the money. In
the case of one of these, three subordinates were convicted.
The question that naturally presents itself after a review of these
instances of dishonesty is whether we are to expect a recurrence of
them. I am glad to say that I think not. They are the natural result
REPORT OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION. 65
of the circumstances under which selections for official positions in the
beginning of this government had to be made. The mode of selec-
tion under the civil-service law could not, of course, be applied at first,
because the government had to become at once a going concern. The
army officers who had begun the civil government here had to be
relieved, the number of officers, as civil government spread through
the provinces, had to be largely increased, and the material from which
selections had to be made was those men who had resigned from the
Army or had been mustered out and proposed to remain in the Philip-
pines. It was impossible in the selection of so many officers to insti-
tute a thorough investigation into their lives in the States. There
were men among those who have proven since to be defaulters who
changed their names with the view of avoiding the investigation which
would have disclosed dishonesty in their past lives. Then, too, in the
very unsettled conditions which have prevailed here, men who would
not have yielded to temptation to dishonesty in the States were unable
to resist it here. As was said in the first report of the Commission:
Many leave the United States honest, but with the weakening of the restraints of
home associations and with the anxious desire to make so long a trip result success-
fully in a pecuniary advantage, demoralization and dishonesty are much more likely
to follow than at home. To avoid the dangers presented by these conditions it is
necessary, first, to banish all favoritism and political considerations from the selec-
tion of civil servants and rigidly enforce the requirements of a competitive examina-
tion and a satisfactory showing by the applicant of his good moral character; second,
to pay adequate salaries and to allow liberal leaves of absence adapted to preserva-
tion of health in the Tropics, thus securing that contentment with the service with-
out which good work is not possible, and, third, to awaken an enthusiasm in the
service by offering as a reward for faithful and highly efficient work a reasonable
prospect of promotion to the highest position in the government.
The lack of ordinary, rational, and healthful amusements for one
engaged as a provincial officer in the country itself turns the minds of
not overstrong natures toward vicious pursuits and enjoyments like
those of gambling and licentious association with native women.
There is thus furnished a means of spending money in excess of the
legitimate salaries, which soon leads on to an appropriation of the pub-
lic funds. In the beginning of this government it was impossible to
organize a system of inspection which should enable us to follow the
private lives of our employees charged with the ^custody of money,
but as the organization becomes better and our system of inspection
becomes more thorough we are able to furnish the weaker of our
employees the fear of expected inspection as a strong motive for pur-
suing honest ways. There follows below a short statement of the
history of each of the defaulting officials in the Philippine civil service
during the period July 1, 1902, to November 9, 1903:
James F. Beahax.— Born at Boston, Mass., in 1877. Enlisted in Company A,
Ninth Massachusetts Volunteers, May 4, 1898; discharged November 26, 1898.
AVAR 1903 — VOL 5 5
66 PEPOKT OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION.
Enlisted in Company F, Ninth U. S. Infantry, January 14, 1899; discharged Janu-
ary 31, 1900, to accept employment as clerk in the office of the chief surgeon, provost
guard, Manila. Continued with the board of health, and promoted to clerk at $1,600
October 1, 1901; appointed disbursing officer April 1, 1902, at $1,800 per annum. An
examination, made in October, 1902, of his accounts disclosed numerous claims for
credit covering duplicated payments, besides evidence of forgery of names to a pay
roll for which he had claimed credit. These fraudulent claims for credit amounted
to about $4,300 Mexican currency, but there were besides many irregular vouchers
and improper transactions. Mr. Beahan was tried and convicted on two charges,
the first of "falsification of public documents," for which he was sentenced to twelve
years imprisonment December 16, 1902. On the second charge, "misappropriation
of public funds," he was given an additional sentence of twelve years imprisonment
March 31, 1903. Between the time of his arrest and final conviction Mr. Beahan
fled to Shanghai, China, where he was apprehended and returned. The government
secured by attachment the amount of a personal deposit of $2,000 gold made by him
in one of the Manila banks.
William A. Wilson.— Born at Buffalo, N. Y., in 1871. Enlisted in the Thirty-
fifth Infantry, U. S. Volunteers, August 22, 1899; discharged March 13, 1901, as
regimental commissary sergeant; temporarily employed in police department, April
1 to August 9, 1901, as clerk at $1,200 per annum; appointed to the bureau of the
insular treasury as clerk at $1,200 per annum August 12, 1901, as a result of civil-
service examination; transferred to office of the captain of the port at $1,600 Sep-
tember 12, 1901 ; transferred to the bureau of coastguard and transportation January
1, 1902, at $1,800; promoted to disbursing officer April 1, 1902, at $2,000. In Decem-
ber, 1902, he disappeared, and in the examination of his accounts which followed an
actual cash shortage of $19,265.65 Mexican currency was discovered. Wilson was
traced by way of Hongkong and Shanghai to Montreal, Canada, where he was
arrested by United States secret service agents and returned to Manila for trial. He
was charged with ' ' misappropriation of public funds ' ' and ' ' falsification of a public
document." In the first case he received a sentence, April 13, 1903, of tw7elve years
imprisonment, and in the second case a sentence of twelve years and one day and a
fine of 1,250 pesetas, April 20, 1903. Demand was made for the full amount of the
shortage upon the Fidelity and Deposit Company of Maryland and the American
Surety Company of New York, joint sureties, and the claim was settled in full
October 22, 1903.
Matthew T. E. Ward. — Appointed subinspector in the Philippines Constabulary
May 1, 1902; promoted to fourth-class inspector July 1, 1902. In October, 1902, he
was found short in his cash and commissary accounts to the amount of $1, 266.26
Mexican currency, and was tried on the charge of "misappropriation of pubic funds,"
and was sentenced to imprisonment for two years, four months, and one day on
December 4, 1902. The full amount of his shortage was paid by the Union Surety
and Guaranty Company of Philadelphia August 31, 1903. An additional shortage
on account of property is still undetermined.
Charles J. De Witt.— Born at Brooklyn, N. Y., in 1876. Formerly an enlisted
man in the Third U. S. Cavalry; appointed fourth-class inspector, Philippines Con-
stabulary, at $800 per annum, September 19, 1902. In January, 1903, he was found
short $10,498.83 Mexican currency in his cash, commissary, and property accounts;
was tried for "misappropriation of public funds" and sentenced, February 9, 1903,
to ten years' imprisonment. The amount of his shortage was paid August 15, 1903,
by the Fidelity and Deposit Company and the American Surety Company, joint
sureties.
0. G. Milne. — Born in New York in 1881. Appointed postmaster at Tacloban,
Leyte, September 1, 1902, at $1,000 per annum. In November, 1902, he claimed to
have been the victim of a robbery of over $12,000 United States currency in money-
REPORT OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION. 67
order funds from his office. His statements were not consistent. The matter was
investigated by the inspectors of the bureau of posts, and upon the evidence secured
Milne was arrested and convicted of ''misappropriation of public funds" to the
amount of $12,140.80 United States currency. He was sentenced, May 1, 1903, to
imprisonment for eight years and one day. After his conviction he confessed his
crime and pointed out where $9,102.50 United States currency, for which he was
accountable, was concealed. This sum was recovered and a further sum of $3,000
United States currency, the full amount of his bond, was paid July 21, 1903, by the
Union Surety and Guaranty Company of Philadelphia.
Albert C. Roberts. — Born in Kentucky in 1873. Served as sergeant of Company
D, Second Kentucky Volunteer Infantry, and as regimental quartermaster-sergeant
of the same regiment; enlisted May 3 and discharged August 31, 1898. Served in
subsistence and quartermaster's departments of U. S. Army from November 1,
1898, to June 30, 1901; appointed bookkeeper in the Insular Cold Storage and Ice
Plant, July 1, 1901, at $1,500 per annum; compensation increased to $1,800 January
1, 1902. Upon examination of his accounts in May, 1903, he was found short to the
extent of $1,622.42 United States currency, and $7,014.65 Mexican currency, and
was tried on the charge of "misappropriation of public funds," but was convicted
of permitting others to abstract public funds, and sentenced July 10, 1903, to pay a
fine equal to the amount of the shortage in addition to the civil liability under his
bond. Demand was made upon the Fidelity and Deposit Company and the Ameri-
can Surety Company, joint sureties, and the claim was settled in full October 22,
1903. Case pending on appeal of the government, seeking a sentence of imprison-
ment for years in the penitentiary.
J. Valentine Karelson. — Born in New York City in 1875. Enlisted in the
Twenty-seventh Battery, Indiana Light Artillery, May 10, 1898; discharged July 17,
1898, for disability; appointed to the position of clerk, at $900 per annum, in the
Manila post-office, May 16, 1902, as a result of civil-service examination; transferred
to the position of postmaster at Calamba, Laguna, January 15, 1903, at $1,000 per
annum. In April, 1903, he claimed to have lost $1,000, United States currency, in
transit to his depositary at Manila. Investigation showed that his claim was a false
one. He was charged with "misappropriation of public funds," convicted, and
sentenced July 5, 1903, to imprisonment for ten years and one day, and to pay a
fine of $1,000 United States currency. Demand has been made upon the Union
Surety and Guaranty Company, but the matter is unadjusted.
Walter Shttltz. — Born at Houstonia, Mo., in 1875. Enlisted in Company H,
First Territorial Infantry, July 27, 1898; mustered out February 17, 1899; reenlisted in
Company H, Thirty-fourth Infantry, July 25, 1900; discharged as sergeant February
26, 1901; appointed postmaster at Laoag, Ilocos Norte, on a percentage basis, March
1, 1901; salary fixed at $1,000 per annum April 1, 1901; returned to the percentage
basis October 1, 1901; reappointed postmaster at Laoag April 1, 1903, at $900 per
annum; salary increased to $1,000 July 1, 1903. In July, 1903, he was found short
$2,500 United States currency by Post-Office Inspector Ladd. Shultz confessed and
made a full statement of his peculations. He was charged with " misappropriation
of public funds," and sentenced to imprisonment for eight years and one day. The
final audit of this account showed a net shortage of $2, 511. 97 United States currency.
It appeared by the confession of the late postmaster that the sum of $809. 52 United
States currency was abstracted from the money-order funds prior to October 1, 1902,
at which time a bond given by the Union Surety and Guaranty Company was
effective. For the remainder of the shortage, $1, 702. 45 United States currency, the
Fidelity and Deposit Company and the American Surety Company were deemed
jointly liable. Demand was made upon the surety companies concerned, and the
amount for which each was liable was paid October 22, 1903.
Bartlett Sinclair. — Born at Lancaster, S. C, in 1864. A member of the New
York bar and subsequently auditor of the State of Idaho. Most highly recom-
68 REPORT OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION.
mended. Appointed treasurer province of Rizal September 25, 1901. In January,
1903, he was found short in his accounts in the sum of $1, 410. 40 United States cur-
rency. He was removed from office and charged under a Spanish statute still in
force^with "carelessness and negligence in office," as a result of which he permitted
others to abstract public funds. The books of the late treasurer, as kept by him,
showed a shortage of over $10, 000 Mexican currency, while additional debits not
charged, amounting to over $10, 000 Mexican currency, were discovered in the
examination of his office. The case against Sinclair resulted in acquittal, on the
peculiar ground that he was as attentive to his duties as a man with his lack of
money accounting sense could be expected to be, October 20, 1903. The loss has
been paid in full by the sureties.
Emory H. Fogerty. — Born at Worcester, Mass., in 1874. Cadet United States
Revenue-Cutter Service, 1898-1900. Appointed to the Philippine civil service from
the United States as a result of civil-service examination April 21, 1902; assigned to
the position of deputy treasurer, province of Rizal, under Bartlett Sinclair. Mr.
Fogerty made a written confession of having appropriated to his own use a sum
equivalent to $1,276 United States currency, pleaded guilty, and was sentenced
April 8, 1903, to three years' imprisonment.
Ricardo Gutierrez. — Born in Baliuag, P. I., in 1882. Appointed clerk in the
office of the treasurer, province of Rizal at $180, July 9, 1901; promoted September
15, 1901, to the position of deputy treasurer at $300 per annum. While deputy of
ex-Treasurer Sinclair, was charged with misappropriation of $244. 34 Mexican cur-
rency, but reimbursed the government before the date of his sentence, which was
imprisonment for four months and one day.
Gregorio de Silva. — Born at Pasig, P. I., in 1875. Appointed clerk in the office
of the treasurer, province of Rizal, on July 15, 1901, at $180 per annum. While
deputy of ex-Treasurer Sinclair, he was convicted of having appropriated $46.28
Mexican currency, but reimbursed the government before a sentence of two months'
imprisonment was imposed.
Frank Dean Tompkins. — Born at Troy, N. Y., in 1870. Appointed first lieu-
tenant, First U. S. Volunteer Infantry, June 21, 1898 ; honorably mustered out
October 28, 1898; appointed first lieutenant, Thirty-third U. S. Volunteer Infantry,
April 5, 1899; detailed as treasurer and collector of internal revenue, province of La
Union, while in the military service, and appointed treasurer of the province of La
Union August 15, 1901, at $2,000 per annum. An examination of the accounts of
Dean Tompkins made in June, 1903, disclosed a shortage of $221.15 United States
currency, and $22,744.25 Mexican currency. After the seizure of his office, July 5,
1903, by the deputy of the insular treasurer, Mr. Tompkins made cash payments on
his shortage amounting to $1,129.99 United States currency and $7,061.26 Mexican
currency, besides payment by personal notes given by him to various persons for
salary vouchers, for which he claimed credit in his accounts, amounting to $294.50
United States currency and $1,338.74 Mexican currency. The persons who accepted
these notes now state that they did so with the understanding that the province was
cramped for funds or that the actual cash was not available, and that the obligation
of the government to pay was not discharged by acceptance of the notes. The notes
were given to provincial officers and employees after the seizure of the office, how-
ever. Mne charges were filed against ex-Treasurer Tompkins — four for "estafa,"
four for falsification of public documents in forging names of municipal treasurers to
receipts for money for which he took credit, and one for misappropriation of public
funds amounting to $221.15 United States currency and $22,744.25 Mexican currency.
One of the cases for ' ' estafa ' ' resulted in acquittal on account of a technicality. In
the next case heard, the charge being forgery, the defendant was found guilty and
sentenced to imprisonment for seventeen years, four months, and one day. During
the hearing of the third case brought to trial, that of misappropriation of public
funds, the defendant fell sick, and further hearing of the case was postponed to
REPORT OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION. 69
October 1, 1903. This case resulted in conviction, and an additional sentence of
imprisonment for nine years was imposed October 15. The loss is unadjusted. The
remainder of the indictments are in abeyance.
Alfred E. Wood. — Born at Reigate, England, in 1864. Appointed in the United
States to the Philippine civil service as clerk, at $1,400 per annum, as a result of civil-
service examination; assigned to the bureau of the insular purchasing agent upon
arrival; resigned and appointed in the Census Bureau October 31, 1902; resigned
December 5, 1902; reinstated and appointed chief clerk and deputy treasurer of the
province of La Union December 15, 1902, at $1,200 per annum. As deputy to Dean
Tompkins, ex-treasurer of Union province, he made certain illegal collections from
municipal treasurers and embezzled the same. The amount involved is a part of the
treasurer's shortage. Wood was found guilty September 10, 1903, of "estafa," and
sentenced to four months' imprisonment in the provincial jail.
Thomas P. Coates. — Born in Illinois in 1880. Appointed to the position of clerk,
bureau of customs, Condon, P. I., at $600, on February 20, 1900. Promoted to coast
district inspector of customs, San Fernando, Union, at $1,400, on June 24, 1901.
In July, 1903, he was found short in his accounts $1,990.22 Mexican currency, by
Supervising Special Agent Edwards, of the customs service. Coates was charged with
misappropriation of funds, and also with "estafa," in using a false and fraudulent
check of Dean Tompkins to deceive the special agent. He was found guilty of the
first charge September 9, 1903, and sentenced to eight years' imprisonment. The
defendant paid the amount of his shortage in open court.
Charles H. Osborn. — Born in Brooklyn, N. Y., in 1875. Enlisted in Company
B, Ninth New York Voluntary Infantry, May 2, 1898. Reenlisted in Company L,
Third U. S. Infantry, July 20, 1900; discharged to accept employment as clerk in the
office of the adjutant-general, Department of North Philippines, June 23, 1901; trans-
ferred to Quartermaster's Department December 21, 1901; appointed fourth-class
inspector, Philippine Constabulary, June 20, 1902, at $800 per annum; assigned as
supply officer at San Fernando, Union, September 30, 1902; compensation increased
to $900 per annum June 1, 1903; June, 1903, he was found short $6,081.55 Mexican
currency, in his disbursing and commissary accounts, and was charged with misap-
propriation of public funds and "estafa" in using a false and fraudulent check of
Dean Tompkins for $3,000, to be used as cash during inspection of his accounts.
Osborn was found guilty of misappropriation of funds and sentenced September 9 to
ten years' imprisonment. Demand will be made upon his sureties without delay.
Qutxttn R. Gonzalez. — Born at Manila, P. I., in 1870. Appointed fourth-class
inspector, Philippine Constabulary, September 20, 1901, at $800 per annum; pro-
moted to third-class inspector June 17, 1902, at $950; promoted December 18, 1902,
to -SI, 000. He was found short in his accounts to the amount of about $1,600 Mexi-
can currency, and is under arrest pending trial. The shortage has been made good
by him.
William G. Hollis. — Born at Chatham, Mass., in 1873. Enlisted in Company L,
Fifth Massachusetts Infantry, June 1, 1898; mustered out March 31, 1899; served as
property clerk and stenographer in the Quartermaster's Department in Cuba and
later in the office of the depot quartermaster, Department of Northern Luzon, from
1899 to June 30, 1901; appointed clerk, office of the insular treasurer, July 1, 1901,
as a result of civil-service examination, at $1,200 per annum; salary increased July 15
to $1,400; September 1, to $1,600; October 17, to $1,800; February 1, 1902, to $2,000;
appointed treasurer of Occidental Negros August 8, 1902. In June, 1903, an exami-
nation of his cash accounts showed a shortage, as of June 23, 1903, of $11,063.11
Mexican currency, with an overage of $86.71 United States currency. His trial is
pending before the court of first instance of Bacolod. Demand will be made upon
sureties for the amount misappropriated.
James W. Walsh, Jr.— Born in North Dakota in 1876; appointed subinspector,
Philippine Constabulary, at $480 per annum, February 13, 1902; promoted April 1 to
70 REPORT OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION.
fourth-class inspector at $800; defaulted in his accounts in October, 1903. From the
incomplete records in this office it appears that he is short in his disbursing account
in the sum of $10,557.66 Mexican currency, and in his commissary account in the
sum of $5,603.98 Philippine currency. He was convicted and sentenced to ten years'
imprisonment for the shortage of more than $10,000 in his local currency account,
and was given an additional sentence of ten years' imprisonment for the embezzle-
ment of commissary stores.
Charles G. Johnson. — Appointed subinspector, Philippine Constabulary, April
26, 1902, at $480 per annum; promoted to fourth-class inspector at $800 per annum
on July 1, 1902. While acting in his capacity of supply officer of constabulary it
appears that he turned pirate and was killed in an attempt to escape capture. Incom-
plete reports at hand indicate a shortage of $8,625 Philippine currency. The defal-
cation in his accounts occurred in September, 1903. Demand will be made upon his
sureties for the full amount involved.
For the purposes of comparison there follows a letter from the
auditor showing the total number of officers in the Philippines hand-
ling money, either as receiving or disbursing officers, and the amounts
handled:
The Government of the Philippine Islands,
Office of the Auditor,
Manila, November 10, 1903.
Sir: In compliance with your verbal request, I have the honor to submit herewith
lists of the collecting and disbursing officers, insular and provincial (including the
city of Manila), who served during the fiscal year 1903.
It should be noted that many persons served as collecting or disbursing officers in
more than one capacity, and in such cases the name appears for each capacity, as
such accounts, so far as the auditor is concerned, are as separate as if rendered by
different individuals.
The lists may be classified as follows:
Number of officers who received or disbursed over $2,000,000 4
Number of officers who received or disbursed more than $1,000,000 and less
than $2, 000, 000 3
Number of officers who received or disbursed more than $500,000 and less than
$1,000,000 10
Number of officers who received or disbursed more than $100,000 and less than
$500,000 31
Number of officers who received or disbursed more than $75,000 and less than
$100, 000 22
Number of officers who received or disbursed more than $50,000 and less than
$75,000 29
Number of officers who received or disbursed more than $40,000 and less than
$50, 000 .' 15
Number of officers who received or disbursed more than $20,000 and less than
$40, 000 80
Number of officers who received or disbursed more than $10,000 and less than
$20,000 81
Number of officers who received or disbursed more than $5,000 and less than
$10,000 84
Number of officers who received or disbursed more than $1,000 and less than
$5,000 185
Number of officers who received or disbursed more than $500 and less than
$1,000 69
Number of officers who received or disbursed less than $500 491
Total 1 , 104
REPOKT OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION. 71
The treasurer of the islands, who is not included in the foregoing classification,
received during the fiscal year deposits of insular funds amounting, approximately,
to $15,000,000 in United States currency and $25,000,000 in Mexican currency. As
depositary he received additional deposits amounting to $27,965,608 in United States
currency and $24,612,902 in Mexican currency.
Eespectfully,
A. L. Lawshe, Auditor.
The honorable Civil Governor.
The percentage of defaulters thus appears to be less than 2 per cent.
This is far too large, but we feel assured that next year will show a
notable decrease. "It is an ill wind that blows nobody good," and
the punishment of American officials for dishonesty has furnished the
Filipinos a spectacle which they never enjoyed during the Spanish
regime. It is not a matter of inference, but it is a matter of observa-
tion, that the prompt trial and severe punishment of American officials
has inspired in the Filipinos confidence in the sense of justice of this
government. The severe losses entailed on the surety companies
during this year will probably necessitate an increase in the rate at
which the bonds will be issued for the next year, and yet at no other
time in the history of the islands, probably, is the surety business
likely to be more lucrative than during the immediate future.
The revelations of dishonesty in the officials above named have not
shaken, but have only strengthened our confidence in the wisdom of
the merit system. The means of obtaining information concerning a
man's previous character are being much improved, and the certainty
of tenure produced by the merit system all tend to inspire the civil
servant with an esprit de corps and convince him that the only possible
course for him to pursue with a view to success is a devotion to duty
and to the interests of the public and the government. The merit
system excludes favoritism, and with favoritism excluded and the
reasonable hope of promotion for good work present, there is a cer-
tainty of securing honest and enthusiastic civil servants.
THE COASTWISE LAWS.
Unless Congress takes some action, on July 1, 1904, the coastwise
laws of the United States will apply not only to the interisland ship-
ping trade, but also to the trade between the islands and the United
States. In the present conditions nothing could be more disastrous to
these islands. The effect of the laws would be to exclude from the
islands and the American trade all but American bottoms. The inter-
island trade is as necessary to the life of the islands as the arterial
system to the human body. The application of the United States
coastwise laws would exclude a great majority of the ships now engaged
in the trade and would inflict immense damage to the business of the
islands. In 1899, by Executive order, the coastwise trade was limited
to vessels bona fide owned either by a citizen of the United States,
72 KEPORT OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION.
resident in the islands, or a native inhabitant, or a resident who had
become a citizen of the islands by the treaty of Paris. Even this
order, if strictly enforced, would have excluded a large proportion of
the available coasting vessels then engaged in the business, and the
military authorities, to avoid the disaster of driving them out of the
trade of the islands, winked at colorable transfers to Filipino clerks
and agents in whose names certificates of protection were taken out.
These vessels had been in the trade in Spanish times, and they were
still needed. Any change in the existing laws should provide that
vessels now having a certificate of protection should be allowed to
continue in the trade. Indeed so convinced were the Commission
that the interisland shipping was not extensive enough for the good
of the islands that we procured an amendment to the Executive order
by which, under certain restrictions, vessels under foreign flags may
engage in the interisland trade. The occasion for this was a combina-
tion among the interisland shippers to keep up unreasonable rates.
The amendment has had an excellent effect and rates are more reason-
able, although still too high. If the present profits of the interisland
trade are not sufficient to attract American capital, then certainly it
would be selfish exploitation of these islands of an indefensible char-
acter to exclude vessels now in the trade and impose the heavy burden
of higher freight rates in order to induce American capital to invest
in coastwise vessels, and would furnish just ground for reproach
against a government professing good will and doing evil. It seems
to me that the best provision of law which could be adopted, so far as
the interisland trade is concerned, would be to place the matter wholly
in the discretion of the Commission, which, as conditions change and
warrant it, could make the restrictions in favor of American and
Filipino shipping greater.
With respect to the trade between these islands and the United
States, I concur fully in the remarks of Collector Shuster in his annual
report in which he says:
At the present time the greater jpart of the freight traffic between the Philippines
and New York is carried on in foreign bottoms. So far as indications go, any law
which prevented the continuance of that trade in foreign bottoms until an equal
tonnage of cheaply operated American freighters are actually available to take up
that trade and maintain healthy rate competition, would result in a decided increase
over the present rates of freight. This additional burden would fall upon the already
weakened resources of these islands and such a result would be more than lamentable
from every standpoint.
The tonnage plying between these islands and the Pacific coast is about equal to the
present freight supply and no change in the present law seems advisable so far as
trans-Pacific routes are concerned.
It is, therefore, earnestly recommended that the present laws, so far as they permit
foreign bottoms to trade between these islands and the mainland territory of the
United States, be not changed for a period of at least five years from July 1, 1904,
and that positive legislation to that effect be had by Congress at an early date.
EEPORT OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION.
73
THE INSULAR REVENUES.
The report of the auditor shows that the revenues of the islands for
the year ending June 30, 1903, exceeded those for the year ending
June 30, 1902, as follows:
Comparative statement of revenues of the Philippine Islands, fiscal years 1902 and 1903,
exclusive of provincial receipts and refundable collections.
Items.
Fiscal year
1903.
Fiscal year
1902.
$9, 215, 551. 88
145,702.53
7,867.01
595,350.95
567, 581. 97
$8, 398, 864. 35
Postal
137, 811. 99
94, 634. 84
Miscellaneous:
508, 120. 60
42, 571. 86
City of Manila under provost-marshal (exclusive of internal reve-
85, 709. 51
10,532,054.34
1, 264, 341. 19
1, 542, 463. 83
428, 613. 76
12,074,518.17
1,692,954.95
9, 267, 713. 15
1,113,850.07
10,381,563.22
Increase in 1903
In the fiscal year 1902 receipts in the city of Manila from July 1 to August 7, 1901,
prior to the incorporation of the city of Manila, amounting to $82,813.43, are included
in the internal revenues; and $85,709.51 was collected by the provost-marshal-general
administrating the department of receipts and disbursements, making total collec-
tions in the city of Manila, under the charter and otherwise, $1,282,373.01, as against
$1,542,463.83 for 1903, an increase in 1903 of $260,090.82.
Forestry taxes collected in each year are excluded, these collections being refund-
able to the several provinces in which the timber was cut.
The income for the year ending June 30, 1902, exclusive of the city
of Manila, was $9,165,952.44, the income for the city of Manila was
$1,199,559.58, and the total income was $10,665,512.02. The income
for the year ending June 30, 1903, included about $560,000 of extraor-
dinai^y items. These were the amount paid hy the United States for
the gunboats turned over to the Navy, purchased out of insular funds;
and the Spanish insurgent seized funds, turned over to the insular
treasury. During the year we had the extraordinary expense of
taking the census, for which there was appropriated something over
$694,000; and in addition to that we had appropriated $125,000 for
the exposition board for the preliminary expense for the Philippine
exhibit at the Louisiana Purchase Exposition. Added to this were
the appropriations of $1,000,000 for the continuance of the harbor
works in the port of Manila, $350,000 for harbor works in the city of
Cebu, and $150,000 for the harbor works in the city of lloilo. The
result is that the surplus, which on June 30, 1902, amounted to
$4,000,000, has been reduced to nearly $2,200,000 in round numbers.
Of course the surplus was accumulated for the purpose of making
permanent improvements, and its reduction by the amount required
for the port works in the three cities is a reduction in accordance
74 KEPOKT OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION.
with the plan of the Commission. The revenues, in spite of the
conditions, have kept up, although there has been a slight falling
off during the first four months of the new fiscal year, as follows:
For the first four months of the fiscal year ending June 30, 1903,
the amount collected was $3,612,510.88; for the first four months of
the year ending June 30, 1904, $3,492,729.88, or a loss of $119,781.
This is exclusive of the income from the city of Manila. The ten-
dency to the expensive conveniences and the pressure for increase in
salaries in all departments and bureaus renders it most difficult to
prevent expenditures from outrunning our income. We are anxious
naturally to put as much money into permanent construction as possi-
ble. We have as yet, however, no general authority to borrow money
to pay for permanent improvements, and the cost falls on the results
of taxation. We find it wiser to pay good salaries — salaries in excess
of those paid for the same service in the United States — to all who
occupy responsible positions. The cost of living is so high in Manila
that a salary of $7,000 here hardly goes as far as a salary of $5,000 in
any of the smaller cities of the United States. I am convinced that
we made a mistake in fixing the salaries for the supreme judges at
$7,000, and for that of the chief justice at $7,500. The court is of so
much dignity and of so much importance that we might very well have
fixed the salaries of the judges at $10,000 a year, and that of the chief
justice at $10,500. We are likely to lose by resignation three of the
Americans who have constituted the court of seven at the end of their
service of three years, and that largely because the salary offers no
inducement to hold the place. This is a deplorable condition, because
the value of the supreme court depends largely on the experience of
its members, and if we are not to obtain the benefit of the learning and
experience acquired on the bench in the Spanish civil law by our
American judges we lose much.
An examination of the report of the secretary of finance and justice
will show that the extraordinary expenses of the current six months
provided for in the appropriations, if continued in the same propor-
tions for the remaining six months of the fiscal year ending June 30,
1904, would absorb the surplus and leave a considerable deficit. Part
of this extraordinary expense is made up by the purchase of the
Oriente Hotel for an office building, at a cost of $675,000 Mexican,
the appropriation of $450,000 gold for the St. Louis Exposition pur-
poses, which includes not only the direct appropriation for expendi-
ture by the exposition board of $375,000, but also that of $75,000 to
pay the expenses of sending fifty Filipinos of education, culture, and
prominence to the United States for purposes already stated. The
work is proceeding so rapidly on the port works of Manila that it is
probable that another heavy appropriation will have to be made to
meet that expenditure. It is quite unlikely that any considerable
KEPOET OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION. 75
expenditure for public works and improvements of a permanent char-
acter can continue to be made out of the current revenue, and a deficit
would be exceedingly embarrassing. Of course, if the Dingley tariff
were reduced and an impetus given to business in the islands by the
increased production of sugar and tobacco and their sale in the United
States, the increase in the revenues would probably keep pace with
the increase in the expenditures, but to meet all contingencies it seems
to me that a Congressional act authorizing the issuing of bonds for
permanent improvements in the islands, not exceeding $5,000,000,
each issue to be approved by the Secretary of War and the President
of the United States, would not be conferring upon the Commission
or legislature of the islands excessive authority, and that it is really a
necessary provision to prevent possible financial embarrassment.
OFFICE OF THE INSULAR PURCHASING AGENT.
The report of the purchasing agent, which is attached hereto as an
exhibit, shows the very large amount of business done by him for the
purpose of supplying the departments with needed permanent equip-
ment and consumable supplies. His total purchases for the year end-
ing September 30, 1903, were $2,215,275.62, exclusive of rice purchases
and carabaos. Of this amount it appears that over 80 per cent has
been bought through the merchants of Manila, 14 per cent bought
in the United States, and the remainder in other countries. The work
needed in taking charge of the shipments when they arrived and in
distributing them for shipment to all parts of the Archipelago has
been very heavy.
In addition to the supplies thus purchased, under special acts of the
Commission, the insular purchasing agent has been charged with the
duty of buying and selling rice, of which he purchased to the 1st
of October $2,451,168.04 and sold $2,310,633.06, Mexican currency,
having on hand at the present time rice amounting to $107,152.84 in
value. He was also charged with the business of supervising the com-
pletion of the contract with Keylock & Pratt for 10,000 head of cara-
baos bought in Shanghai, to be delivered at the rate of 500 per month.
At this date only 773 have been delivered, and they are being sold as
rapidly as they can be permanently immunized against rinderpest by
the bureau of government laboratories. The insular purchasing agent
is also charged with the duty of maintaining and supervising a trans-
portation department for the city of Manila. New stables are being
erected for him on the San Lazaro estate, and when they are com-
pleted he will furnish all the transportation for all the insular bureaus,
including the bureau of health.
The report shows the handling and shipping of $3,281,000 worth of
property and the accounting for $5,021,045 of United States currency.
There has been taken from the purchasing agent all obligation to pur-
76 REPORT OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION.
chase food supplies, which are now bought directly by the commissary
department of the constabulary and are furnished for sale at cost price,
with 10 per cent added, to all civil employees outside the city of
Manila.
PROVINCIAL AND MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENTS."
THE GOVERNMENT OP THE MORO PROVINCE.
Early in the present calendar year the Secretary of War called the
attention of the civil governor to the fact that the time seemed now to
have arrived when a more definite form of government might be given
to the parts of the Archipelago occupied by the Moros. Accordingly,
a bill for the government of the Moro Province was drafted. It was
submitted to General Davis, then commanding the division, and who
was formerly department commander of Mindanao and Jolo, and was
thus familiar with Moro conditions. Subsequently the bill as revised
by General Davis was presented to the Commission, and in the Com-
mission it received many additions and changes. It became a law on
the 1st of June, 1903, but did not take effect until the 15th of July
next ensuing.
The act makes the Moro Province to consist of all the islands of
Mindanao and its adjacent islands, except the provinces of Misamis
and Surigao, which had theretofore been established as Christian Fili-
pino provinces under the general provincial act. The law takes away
from the province of Misamis the town and district of Iligan, in which
there are a great number or Moros resident, and also somewhat
reduces the boundaries of the province of Surigao. The Moro Prov-
ince also includes the island of Isabela de Basilan and all the islands to
the south of Mindanao in the Archipelago. It embraces within the
boundaries, therefore, all the Moros in the Archipelago except a small
number of them resident in the south half of the island of Paragua or
Palawan and possibly a few who live on the west coast of the province
of Misamis, near the towns of Misamis and Oroquieta. The province
is divided into five districts — the district of Zamboanga, the district of
Lanao, the district of Cotabato, the district of Davao, and the district of
Jolo. The executive head of the province is the provincial governor,
who has as his assistants the provincial secretary, the provincial attor-
ney, the provincial engineer, the provincial superintendent of schools,
and the provincial treasurer. The officers named, with the governor,
being six in number, constitute the legislative council for the prov-
ince, and in case of an even division the proposition having the vote
of the governor prevails. For the support of the province there are
assigned all the customs receipts from the port of Jolo, the port of
Zamboanga, and the new port of Bongao, making about $130,000 gold
a year. Internal-revenue taxes are to be collected in towns organized
under the municipal code, and such other taxes as the legislative coun-
KEPORT OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION. 77
cil may see fit to impose. The legislative council is authorized to
create municipalities under the municipal code or to modify its terms
to suit local conditions. It is authorized to organize a public school
system and to vary the character of the schools in different districts
as the special and local necessities require. It is authorized:
(h) To enact laws for the creation of local governments among the Moros and
other non-Christian tribes, conforming as nearly as possible to the lawful customs of
such peoples, and vesting in their local or tribe rulers as nearly as possible the same
authority over their people as they now exercise, consistent with the act of Congress
entitled ' 'An act temporarily to provide for the administration of the affairs of civil
government in the Philippine Islands, and for other purposes," and following
as nearly as possible in the provisions of these laws any agreements heretofore made
by the United States authorities with such local or tribe rulers concerning the pow-
ers and privileges which under American sovereignty they are by such agreements
to enjoy: Provided, That they have not by their conduct and the breach of the
agreements forfeited such powers and privileges.
(i) To enact laws investing the district governors in their respective districts, or
other provincial or district officers with the power of adjusting, under the super-
vision of the provincial governor, all differences between sultans, dattos, and any
independent local authorities, and of enforcing their decisions upon such differences.
(j) To enact laws which shall collect and codify the customary laws of the Moros
as they now obtain and are enforced in the various parts of the Moro Province
among the Moros, modifying such laws as the legislative council think best and
amending them as they may be inconsistent with the provisions of the act of Con-
gress entitled ' ' An act temporarily to provide for the administration of the affairs
of civil government in the Philippine Islands, and for other purposes, ' ' and to pro-
vide for the printing of such codification, when completed, in English, Arabic, or
the local Moro dialects as may be deemed wise. The Moro customary laws thus
amended and codified shall apply in all civil and criminal actions arising between
Moros. In all civil and criminal actions arising between members of the same non-
Christian tribe other than Moros, unless otherwise provided by the legislative coun-
cil, the customary laws of such non-Christian tribe, if consistent with the act of
Congress above mentioned, and if defined and well understood, shall govern the
decision of the cause arising, but if there be no well-defined customary laws, or
they are in conflict with such act of Congress; then the cases shall be determined by
the criminal or civil code according to the laws of the Philippine Islands until the
legislative council shall make other provision. In actions, civil or criminal, arising
between a Moro and a member of a non-Christian tribe, or between a Moro and a
Christian Filipino, or an American or a subject or citizen of a foreign country, the
criminal code and the substantive civil law of the Philippine Islands shall apply and
be enforced.
(k) To enact laws for the organization and procedure of district courts to consider
and decide civil and criminal actions arising between Moros, between members of
non-Christian tribes, and between Moros and members of other non-Christian
tribes. The district court shall be presided over by the secretary of the district,
and the other members of the court shall be appointed by the district governor and
shall vary with the race or tribe of the litigants, so that where the action arises
between Moros, there shall be at least two and not more than four Moros upon the
court; when it arises between members of other non-Christian tribes there may
be, if practicable, upon the court members from such non-Christian tribes, and
when the litigation arises between Moros and members of other non-Christian
tribes there shall be at least one Moro member of the court and at least one mem-
ber from the tribe of the pagan litigant : Provided, however, That judgments of said
78 REPORT OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION.
courts shall not be given effect unless approved by the governor of the district in
which the court is held: And provided further, That in case of sentence of death or
imprisonment for a longer period of time than ten years, such sentence shall not
be executed unless approved by the provincial governor. But the legislative council
may, when it thinks proper, provide by law that civil and criminal actions arising
between a Moro and a member of another non-Christian tribe shall be tried in the
court of first instance or in the court of a convenient justice of the peace, according
to the nature of the action and the proper and usual jurisdiction of the court of first
instance or the justice of the peace. The legislative council shall prescribe a sim-
ple procedure for the district courts and require a written record of its proceedings.
(I) To enact laws for the abolition of slavery and the suppression of all slave
hunting and slave trade.
(m) To regulate by statute the use, registration, and licensing of boats of Moro or
pagan construction of less than 10 tons measurement, which shall be followed by col-
lectors of customs in the Moro Province, the provisions of the customs administrative
act and regulations of the insular collector of customs to the contrary notwith-
standing.
It will be seen that the Commission has granted to the legislative
council a very large measure of discretion in dealing with the Moros
and in preserving as far as possible, consistent with the fundamental
act, the customs of the Moros, the authority of the dattos, and a sys-
tem of justice in which Moros should take part.
One of the serious causes of friction in the Moro land has been the
application of coastwise trade regulations to small Moro craft. This
is now sought to be avoided by allowing the legislative council to make
proper regulations for all Moro craft under 10 tons.
The law provides for the appointment by the provincial governor,
subject to the approval by the legislative council, of governors, treas-
urers, and other officers of the five different districts of the province.
The education of the Moro Province presents such a different problem
from that of the Christian Filipinos that it was deemed unwise to pro-
vide for any but a formal relation between the school system of the
Moro Province and that which prevails in the rest of the archipelago,
and the Moro Province is left to pay its own school expenses and to
arrange such a system as shall meet and overcome the peculiar obsta-
cles that now have to be met and overcome in the education of Moro
children. The constabulary system has been extended into the Moro
Province as an immediate branch of the constabulary system of the
islands. It is thought that it will be entirely possible to enlist Moros
and make successful and efficient military police of them under Ameri-
can officers; and the expense of the constabulary will be met out of
the insular treasury.
By section 27 it is provided that —
Courts of first instance and justices of the peace in the Moro Province shall not
have jurisdiction to try civil or criminal actions arising between Moros or arising
between non-Christians, or, except as otherwise provided by the legislative council,
actions arising between Moros and other non-Christians, and the existing laws of
the Philippine Islands are hereby amended accordingly: Provided, however, That in
EEPORT OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION. 79
accordance with paragraph (k) of section thirteen of this act, the legislative council
may by law vest jurisdiction to try cases between Moros and other non-Christians in
such courts: And provided further, That the court of first instance shall have juris-
diction in all habeas corpus cases, no matter between whom arising, to take cogni-
zance of the petition for the release of any person within its territorial jurisdiction,
to issue process, to hear the evidence, and to discharge the prisoner or to remand
him to custody in accordance with the provisions of the chapter on habeas corpus in
the code of civil procedure.
This second proviso was adopted to enable the court of first instance
to render its aid whenever called upon to free persons from slavery
and thus to furnish a means of carrying out the inhibition against
slavery contained in the so-called Philippine act of Congress, reenacted
in paragraph (I) of section 14 above quoted.
All laws passed by the legislative council take effect at the time
fixed by the legislative council, subject to amendment or annulment by
the Commission. Provision is made in the act for the appointment
of military officers to fill the civil positions by the act created and for
the payment to them of an amount equal to 20 per cent of their sal-
aries as military officers in lieu of their allowances for quarters, forage,
and other things.
The first governor of the province appointed is Major-General
Leonard Wood, the military commander of the department of Min-
danao and Jolo. This union of the civil and the military power in
one head seems to be admirably adapted to successful administration
in the Moro Province, although it would be of very doubtful efficacy
in the whole of the Philippine Islands. The Moro is himself a soldier
and recognizes with reluctance any other authority than that which is
clothed with immediate control of military forces. The appointments
of the other executive officers of the provinces were made at the same
time and the legislative council began its work. I inclose herewith
the copies of its acts passed down to the time of rendering this report
and submitted to the Commission and approved by it, as Exhibit S.
The present conditions in the Moro Province are not as satisfactory as
they might be. The campaigns of General Baldwin and Captain Persh-
ing in and about the Lake Lanao district have resulted in subduing the
wild Moros of that district so that there is no organized armed resistance
to the sovereignty of the United States. The predatory habits of the
Moro remain, however, and from time to time reports come of the
robbery or killing of American soldiers by marauding bands of Moros
whose identity it is difficult to establish. Still the questions presented
are not of real difficulty and involve only patience and firmness in their
solution. The Lake Lanao country is a beautiful country, and the
Moros who inhabit it seem to be fairly good agriculturists. The Moros
of Zamboanga and of the valley of the Rio Grande del Mindanao are
pacified and make no trouble in accepting the regime under the new
Moro law. In Jolo, however, we have a condition that needs thorough
and drastic treatment. The Bates treaty may have been very useful
80 REPORT OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION.
in staying the hand of the Moros and reducing the necessity for the
use of United States troops in the Sulu Archipelago at a time when
they were needed badly in other parts of the Philippines, but the
power and immunity recognized in that treaty as belonging to the
Sultan of Jolo have not resulted in good government for the Moros
themselves, but have brought about a condition of chaos and petty
wars, of murder and rapine, and intriguing conspiracies of one datto
against another and of dattos against the Sultan which the good of
everybody requires us to put an end to. It is a condition precedent
to the continuance upon the United States of the binding effect of the
Bates treaty that the Sultan and the signing dattos should be powers
capable of subduing lawlessness within their respective jurisdictions.
Either the power or the will has been lacking, and the necessity arises
for teaching them severe lessons of obedience to the government and
the sense of obligation to maintain law and order between local dattos.
The establishment of courts partly native will doubtless assist materi-
ally in settling many questions that now have to be settled by the
sword. The problem in dealing with the Moros is not very different
from that which Sir Stamford Raffles and Sir Frank Swettenham have
had to solve in dealing with the Malays in the Malay Peninsula.
To-day the Malay in the Straits Settlements is most peaceable and law-
abiding. The time was in that peninsula when every Malay went
armed. To-day every Moro is armed with his kris, and if he has a
gun, with a gun. Ultimately the government must compel the Moros
to give up their arms and to trust to the peace authorities to preserve
their rights. A judicious preservation of the authority of local dattos,
and making them responsible for the preservation of order among their
people, will doubtless work well here, but their absolute subordination
to the sovereignty of the United States, which was not made as clear by
the Bates treaty when translated into their language as it might have
been, is a sine qua non to the maintenance of good government. The
Moro does not understand popular government and does not desire it,
and he is not likely to desire it until he is changed by education and
the introduction of civilized life in his neighborhood.
The Sultan of Jolo and the dattos under him, with whom General
Bates entered into an agreement, have not complied with the terms of
that agreement in maintaining order among those who acknowledge in
a perfunctory way allegiance to them. They have not punished wrong-
doers and their whole system of government seems to be one solely for
the exaction of taxes. The Sultan of Jolo is a gambler and an
intriguer, with not a spark of courage or patriotic and paternal interest
in his people. So far as the Bates agreement could be regarded as a
contract of the Executive of the United States Government, it has long
ceased to be of binding force, because the Sultan long ago forfeited all
his rights under it by his violation of the rights he assumed. When
General Wood was appointed governor of the Moro Province, with
REPORT OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION. 81
the knowledge which both of us had of the necessity for the abroga-
tion of the Bates treat}^ and the gross violation of his obligations under
it b}^ the Sultan, we agreed that it would be well for him to accumulate
the data showing in how many instances the Sultan had failed when
called upon by the United States authorities to preserve order among
his people, with a view to formal action in notifying him of the abro-
gation of the treaty. I append the report of General Wood as
Exhibit T upon this phase of the Moro question, and concur fully
in his recommendation that for the causes shown by him in the exhibits
which accompany his report that the Sultan and the signing dattos be
advised of the abrogation of the Bates treaty and that the same is no
longer binding on the United States or the insular government and
will not be respected.
Among the laws which the legislative council of the Moro Province
has enacted will be found one denouncing kidnapping of persons with
a view to making them slaves, and the detention of persons in slavery.
General Wood has examined the question, as have other members of
the legislative council, and has reached the conclusion that the
announcement of the policy of the United States upon this question
may as well be radical in the beginning. General WTood advises me
orally that the proclamation of the passage of the act in the river
valley above Cotabato has been received with acquiescence by the
dattos. It will probably give more trouble in Jolo. The fact is,
however, that the military question in dealing with the Moros is a
simple one, and is not at all as difficult as that which confronted the
army in the Christian Filipino provinces. The Moros do not fight a
guerilla warfare. They retreat to their forts and bid defiance to the
foe, and thus expose themselves to an attack by modern artillery and
other modern methods of overcoming insufficient fortifications. They
are easily whipped, and though the whipping may have to be repeated
once or twice, its effect ultimately is very salutary. Force seems to
be the only method of reaching them in the first instance, and is the
only preparation for the beginning of civilized restraints among them.
It is probable that the government is itself subject to criticism for
delay in giving to the Moro region something definite in the form of
a government, but the vim and interest with which> the government
of the Moro Province has been launched give every assurance of a
satisfactory result. A continuance of the conditions which the exhibits
submitted by General Wood, and hereto appended, show to exist in
Jolo, Siassi, and other islands of the Sulu Archipelago would certainly
be a disgrace to the United States Government and to the insular gov-
ernment which is made responsible by the Philippine act for the main-
tenance of law and order among the people. It is thought that another
year will bring an improvement in conditions so great that even the
Moros themselves will understand the advantage of it.
war 1903— vol 5 6
82
KEPORT OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION.
THE CHRISTIAN FILIPINO PROVINCES.
A severe agricultural depression in the provinces, together with the
interference with tax collections by the cholera, has caused a number
of the provinces to run behind in the matter of their income, and has
required the insular government to lend money to them. The amount
of money loaned is shown in the following list:
List of loans to provinces during the period September 1, 1902, to October 31, 1903.
Province.
Philippine
currency.
Mexican
currency.
£"12,550.00
F-25,000.00
12, 250. 00
2,000.00
15, 000. 00
62, 250. 00
50,000.00
6, 500. 00
5,000.00
15, 000. 00
15, 300. 00
13, 350. 00
2, 600. 00
31, 000. 00
15, 960. 00
Total
62,000.00
2,000.00
5,000.00
221, 760. 00
Appropriated moneys undrawn October 31, 1903:
For loan to —
Iloilo
50,000.00
List of repayments by provinces during the period September 1, 1902, to October 31, 1903,
of loans made by the insular government during that period and prior thereto.
Province.
United States
currency.
Mexican
currency.
$2,500.00
2,500.00
2,500.00
5,000.00
Bohol
T6, 500. 00
Ilocos Sur
2,500.00
6, 500. 00
2,500.00
Nueva Ecija
7, 050. 00
2,500.00
2,500.00
Total
22,500.00
20,050.00
In a number of the provinces it has been deemed wise to cut down
the cost of officers by consolidating the offices of treasurer and super-
visor, usually filled by Americans, into the office of treasurer-super-
visor. This was possible in provinces where there is very little money
for improvements, because in such provinces the supervisors of roads
and improvements have few duties to perform. The supervisors who
were released from office were provided for in the office of the con-
sulting engineer to the Commission, who was greatly in need of
engineers for the purpose of carrying on insular road construction, in
which the Commission is now engaged.
REPORT OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION.
83
MUNICIPALITIES.
In the spring the Commission passed a resolution adopting the policy
of a reduction of the number of municipalities in each province. The
municipalities also had run behind in their incomes without reducing
their expenditures, and it became perfectly evident that many of them
were not able to maintain decent government with the tax-producing
capacity which they had shown. The Filipino members of the Com-
mission during the last six months have visited all the Christian prov-
inces, and, after a conference with the provincial boards and with the
municipal presidentes called in convention, have made report to the
Commission in favor of a union of municipalities and a reduction in
number. The Commission adopted their report and enacted the
necessary laws. The reduction is shown in the following table:
Province.
Abra
Albay
Ambos Camarines
Antique
Bataan
Batangas
Bohol
Bulacan
Cagayan
Capiz
Cavite
Cebu
Docos Norte
Ilocos Sur
Iloilo
Isabela
LaLaguna
La Union
Municipalities.
Former
Present
number.
number.
12
12
27
27
43
35
21
11
12
8
22
15
35
32
25
13
33
22
34
22
23
11
57
41
15
10
24
14
51
17
15
11
30
19
15
12
Province.
Leyte
Masbate
Misamis
Negros Occidental
Negros Oriental . .
Nueva Ecija
Pampanga
Pangasinan
Rizal
Pvomblon
Samar
Sorsogon
Surigao
Tarlac :.
Tayabas
Zambales
Total
Municipalities.
Former Present
number, number.
1,035
The above list shows a total reduction of 412 municipalities. The
provinces of Benguet, Lepanto-Bontoc, Mindoro, Moro, Nueva Viz-
caya and Paragua are not included above, as they have special organi-
zation, independent and apart from the municipal code.
In doing this work the Commission has had to run counter to local
prejudice. It is hard to convince municipal officials enjoying office
that the public good requires any measure which will in effect prevent
their continuing to hold office, and there is much krcal pride likely to
be hurt. It is confidently expected, however, that the fusion of the
municipalities thus effected will very greatly increase the efficiency of
the municipal governments by reducing expenses and furnishing a
much larger revenue in each town. The work has been very well
done by the Filipino members and the Commission is greatly indebted
to them for the time and trouble spent in solving a difficult problem.
Municipal treasurers now selected by the council have not proven to
be efficient officers. By law the council of a municipality is obliged
to devote a certain part of the income of the town to schools, but in
84 EEPOET OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION.
too many instances it has developed that, in the anxiety to secure his
own salary, the presidente has induced the council and the municipal
treasurer to appropriate from what are properly school funds to pay
the salaries of municipal officials. The office of municipal treasurer
has therefore been classified as part of the classified line service and
provision made for appointment to it by the provincial board. The
municipal treasurer will also act as deputy provincial treasurer. Thus
a large body of persons will be led to prepare themselves for civil
service examinations for the office of municipal treasurer. Their
experience will fit them for promotion to the office of provincial treas-
urer, which will hereafter be filled largely from such material. The
difficulty about using Filipinos for provincial treasurers heretofore
has been that the duties of the office are so difficult that Filipinos,
with a knowledge of Spanish only, and without any familiarty with
the auditing methods of the auditor's bureau and its requirements, are
unable to perform them. This change can not but strengthen munic-
ipal governments and at the same time bring into use for higher office
trained Filipino material.
The truth is that the municipal governments have not been as satis-
factory in their operations as could be wished. By the misuse of the
school fund already referred to, the native school-teachers have been
compelled to go without their salaries. The municipal police have
also gone unpaid and in many instances had not been made efficient
because they were used as the personal servants of the municipal pres-
identes. It is hoped that the increase of the resources of the towns
by the fusion of municipalities may accomplish some reform in these
matters and the coming of better times in agricultural and busi-
ness way may also assist. In order to make the municipal police a
more efficient body, a law was passed by the Commission, No. 781, the
first and second sections of which are as follows:
Section 1. The civil governor, or the provincial governor with the approval of the
civil governor, is hereby authorized, whenever in his judgment the public interest
will be subserved thereby, to place the municipal police of the respective municipal-
ities of any province under the control of the senior inspector of constabulary on
duty in the province at the time. The senior inspector in such case is hereby
authorized and empowered, under the general supervision of the provincial governor,
to control and direct the movements of the municipal police, and, with the approval
of the provincial governor, to discharge any member of the police force and substi-
tute a fit and suitable resident of the municipality in his place. It shall be the duty
of the senior inspector when thus placed in charge of the municipal police of a prov-
ince to see that they are properly uniformed, drilled and disciplined. When thus
vested with authority over the municipal police he shall see that all lawful orders of
the provincial governor, municipal president, and others in authority are executed
as provided by the municipal code, and amendments thereof, and shall further see
that all proper arrests are made for violations of law of municipal ordinances, and
in case of emergencies is authorized, under the general supervision of the provincial
governor, to unite the forces of the various municipalities of the province in sup-
pressing ladronism or brigandage or other grave violations of the law which threaten
the peace of the entire community; and he may also unite the constabulary forces
BEPORT OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION. 85
under his command with the municipal forces in the execution of his authority for
this purpose.
Sec. 2. It is hereby made the duty of the provincial board of each and every
province to prescribe a suitable uniform for the municipal police of each and every
municipality, with a proper insignia to indicate the municipality to which the police
belong. Authority is also hereby given the provincial board of each province to fix
the number of police which is required to be maintained by each and every munici-
pality of the province. In the event that the provincial board shall find that any
municipality is unable properly to uniform and maintain the number of policemen
fixed by the provincial board, the latter is authorized to vote necessary aid for the
maintenance of such police out of provincial funds. In the event the provincial
board should not have provincial funds adequate for this purpose it may apply to
the Commission for aid in this behalf.
This system had been adoped in the province of La Union before
the passage of the law and had worked well, and it was the success in
Union that suggested the passage of a general law on the subject. It
has not been adopted in many provinces, but where adopted it has
accomplished good results.
Outside of the city of Manila, the two great commercial centers of
the islands are lloilo and Cebu. Under the Spanish regime the town
of lloilo did not have more than 10,000 inhabitants, and the town of Cebu
did not exceed in population 15,000. There were, however, in the
immediate neighborhood of the towns, which were really part of the
commercial centers, three or four towns which ought to have been
included for purposes of economy in government. By the acts already
referred to, lloilo has had annexed to it the towns of Molo, Jaro, La
Paz, and another, which will now make a city of from forty to fifty
thousand. The same thing is true of the town of Cebu, which, being
united with San Nicolas, a town separated by a small creek from Cebu,
and containing 15,000 inhabitants, and other towns in the neighborhood,
will also have a population of about 50,000. It will probably be nec-
essary to provide special charters for these two cities, because the
municipal code is adapted rather to country municipalities than to cities
of a metropolitan size. The improvements in both cities which are
badly needed are a water supply and a sewer system. It is quite prob-
able that the power to issue bonds already given in the Philippine act
for municipalities would be sufficient if the restriction contained in the
act requiring the consent of Congress were removed/ It is not under-
stood why it was thought necessary to insert a provision of law requir-
ing the consent of Congress to the issuing of bonds. Certainly with
the consent of Congress, without such a provision, bonds might be
issued, and it is thought that the requirement of Congressional consent
was an error in the drafting of the Congressional legislation. In any
event, it is exceedingly awkward and unduly limiting the power of the
Commission, to require that where within the narrow limitations con-
tained in the law, the Commission desires to issue bonds for a small
amount to aid municipalities, it should be required to apply to Con-
gress for its consent. It is respectfully recommended to the Commis-
86 EEPOKT OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION.
sion that Congress be urged to repeal the particular provision of the
Philippine act requiring the specific consent of Congress to the issue
of bonds for the benefit of any municipality in the Archipelago, where
such issue shall not exceed the percentage of taxable value now imposed
as a limit by the law.
JUSTICES OF THE PEACE.
The secretary of finance and justice will comment upon the general
subject of the administration of justice in these islands. It is enough
for me to say, that so far as the courts of first instance and the other
superior courts are concerned, it is very satisfactory, and is doing much
to tranquilize the islands, and teach the people what real justice is.
Indeed, it is not too much to say that crime in the islands is punished
with more speed and certainty than in many parts of the United States.
With respect to the justices of the peace, however, this is not true,
and some new system must be devised. The justice of the peace and
an auxiliary justice are now appointed for every town. They do not
receive salaries, and are dependent for compensation upon fees. It is
difficult to secure good men. The amount of business of any one town
is ordinarily so little that the office is not lucrative at all unless it is
made the center of petty litigation by local pettifoggers, or, as the
Spanish term is, " picapleitos," and in that case the office is an unmixed
evil. For this reason the Commission will doubtless feel called upon
to change the system within the coming year. There are several rem-
edies recommended, but in my judgment the best one is that of dividing
the province into comparatively large districts, and appointing a justice
of the peace for each district with a living salary. This will dignify
the office, will secure the best man in the district, and will give a much
better character to the administration of justice in what ought to be
the people's court.
THE CITY OF MANILA.
The report of the city of Manila is a very interesting one, and
shows the progress which has been made in the material welfare of the
city. The two great improvements which are needed are the addition
to the water supply and the construction of sewers. Plans and speci-
fications have been prepared for the water supply, which, if the plans
are carried out, will be brought by gravity directly from a dam co~
structed between two marble cliffs, shutting off and securing enough
water to remove all danger of a scarcity of water during the dry
season. The plans for a sewerage system are being rapidly prepared,
and it is expected that they will be ready for submission by the first
of January. The Commission has engaged the services of an expert
engineer of high repute, Mr. Desmond Fitzgerald, of Brookline, Mass.,
who will visit the islands in January and preside over a board of
engineers which will consider the feasibility of the plans for the
EEPOET OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION.
87
increase in the water supply and the construction of sewers. The
change in the source of the water supply will remove great danger of
contagion from cholera and other epidemic diseases. So far as we are
able to obtain estimates from the engineers making the plans, it would
seem that the cost of construction of the sewers and the new water
plant will fall within the four millions allowed by law.
It ought to be urged upon Congress, in my judgment, that the bonds
issued for the improvement of Manila should be as exempt from tax-
ation as the bonds to be issued for the purchase of the friars' land.
They are only exempt from Federal taxation in the United States and
taxation in the Philippine Islands. The friars' lands bonds are made
exempt from State, county, and municipal taxation in the United
States, which enables us to sell bonds of that sort at a very much lower
rate of interest. It is thought that it will injure no one if the city
bonds of Manila are given as wide exemption.
Manila has increased in houses during the last year, as will be seen
from the following table :
Building operations in the city of Manila, P. I., during the fiscal year ending June SO, 1903.
Month and year.
Applica-
tions
made.
Permits
paid.
Issued
gratis.
Receipts.
United States Mexican
currency. currency.
1902
July
August
September
October
November
December
1903,
January
February
March
April
May
June
Total
257
257
320
331
360
348
426
451
554
469
801
,119
207
196
314
269
304
324
362
374
487
450
523
116
367
8427. 30
343. 90
546.39
413.31
708. 38
600. 07
203. 59
160. 92
251. 86
325. 81
201. 36
279. 56
869.00
10.00
1, 644. 89
1,301.63
1,286.08
1,327.40
1, 320. 80
1,277.25
5,693
4,479
595
4,480.45
, 237. 05
Month and year.
1902.
July
August
September .
October —
November .
December..
1903
January
February ..
March
April
May
June
Total.
Strong materials.
New buildings.
Num-
ber.
40
39
48
116
123
100
67
72
73
873
Value.
$154, 870
128, 205
256, 585
135,236
269, 210
97,015
246, 025
150, 240
122, 535
85, 360
147, 410
145, 180
1,946,871
Repairs.
Num-
ber.
519
Value.
510,955
24,915
23,035
12,586
10,340
23, 995
5,280
5,965
12, 020
15,310
20, 950
171, 741
Light materials.
New buildings.
Num-
ber.
80
76
102
166
120
122
172
180
273
227
306
418
2,242
Value.
87,060
6,355
10, 220
13, 705
10, 789
11,014
15, 140
14, 116
25, 243
18, 408
22, 905
34, 625
189, 580
Repaii
Num-
ber.
32
43
71
81
103
132
Value.
81, 730
750
905
925
2,190
1,775
1,545
1,855
2,442
2,790
4,285
5,130
702
26, 322
88 KEPORT OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION.
During the year about 150 buildings were condemned and ordered
removed.
Much has been done in the way of repairs to streets, widening
streets, and giving the city a modern cleaning every day. Of course
the absence of the sewerage system entails very heavy expense in the
introduction of the pail system, and there is an immense amount of
work to be done before it can be called a really modern city. I ven-
ture to say, however, that there is no city better policed than Manila.
It is singularly free from crimes of violence, and one feels quite secure
at any time of day or night in any part of the city.
The falling off of the population of the city of Manila between 1900
and 1903 from 260,000 to 221,000, as shown by two censuses, is
not inexplicable. In 1900 there was much disturbance through the
country, and the insurrection had not ceased in many parts. The effect
of the insurrection upon those who were wealthy or who had money
enough to come into Manila was very marked, and they fled to Manila
as a place of refuge. As soon, however, as conditions became more
tranquil they went to the country, so that the reduction in the popu-
lation of Manila is a significant evidence of the tranquillity of the
provinces. The introduction and maintenance of a modern fire system
and a metropolitan and native police force, and of an effective street-
cleaning gang are all shown in the report of the city, hereto
appended and marked Exhibit U. There is considerable doubt as to
what ought to be done about taking down the walls of the walled city
of Manila, and how the open spaces in the city ought to be improved.
Major-General Davis, commanding the Division of the Philippines,
wrote a long application to the Secretary of War, in which he asked for
the reservation by the President for military purposes of a great many
pieces of land in the city. This application has been vigorously resisted
and attacked by the advisory board of Manila, by the municipal board,
and by mass meetings of prominent citizens. The Commission has
passed a resolution, inviting the Secretary of War to make a contract
with a landscape architect of eminence in the United States, empower-
ing him to visit Manila and make a sketch of the improvements needed
with a view to art and utility, and until this report is made it is hoped
that the President will make no permanent reservation for military pur-
poses. There are in the city itself and in the environs of the cit}^ great
opportunities for beautifying the landscape, and it is hoped that we
may be able in time to make the city of Manila the handsomest city in
the Orient. Improvements are expensive, however, and must be
accordingly slow. Manila is interlaced with what are called esteros,
small creeks or arms of the sea that are useful for navigation and that
are now made the vehicle for much of the deleterious sewage of the
town. The rise and fall of the tide assists in carrying off the sewage,
but the fall of the tide exposes the mud and filth of the bottom to the
EEPOET OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION. 89
sun in such a way as probably to produce illness. The ultimate hope
of the introduction of the sewerage system into the city is that the
esteros not useful for navigation may be filled, and that those which
are useful for navigation may be, as the term is, canalized — that is,
dredged out and have their banks walled so that the coming and going
of the tides shall only cleanse the water without exposing the filthy
bottom. A comprehensive sewer system would take much away from
the esteros and would leave them to discharge only the useful function
of cheap interurban transportation.
I am glad to call attention to the fact that since our last report on
March 3, the bids for a franchise for an electric street railway were
opened; and that Mr. Charles Swift, of Detroit, Mich., and his asso-
ciates made a bid which the Commission and the municipal board
thought it wise to accept, for the construction of a first-class, standard-
grade electric street-car line, which will gridiron the city and furnish
the much-needed cheap transportation from the absence of which
Manila has always suffered. A copy of the charter which was granted
under a law of the Commission and by a vote of the municipal board
is hereto appended and marked Exhibit V. The term of the charter
is fifty years. The restrictions in it are those which usually obtain in
charters of modern street railways in the United States. The com-
pany has the right to run two classes of cars, first and second class,
the terms of the charter covering rate of fares being as follows:
The fare charged by the grantee shall not exceed six cents in money of the United
States on a first-class car, or five cents in money of the United States on a second-
class car, for one continuous ride from one point to another on the railway system of
the grantee within the city limits as now or hereafter established, whether it be
necessary to transfer the passenger from one car or line of the grantee to another
during said ride or not: Provided always, That where a change of cars is necessary
there shall be established by the grantee a method of transfers not unreasonably
burdensome in its restrictions to the transferred passengers; and in case of a failure
to comply with the foregoing requirement as to transfers it may be enforced upon
application of the municipal board by mandamus to the proper court of first instance
or the supreme court: And provided further , That on lines running outside of the city
limits an additional fare or fares may be charged at the rate of five cents in money of
the I nited States on first-class cars, or three cents in money of the United States on
second-class cars, for each two miles or fraction thereof beyond the then city limits: And
provided further, That the grantee shall for four years from the date hereof accept
local currency in lieu of money of the United States in payment for any ride or fare at
the ratio of two cents local currency for one cent in money of the United States, until
such time as there shall be established for these islands a gold-standard coinage and
money thereunder shall be made legal tender, after which time the fares to be charged
shall be the equivalent of those stated above in money of the United States: And pro-
vider] further, That pending the adoption of thegold standard, if theofficial ratioexisting
between the money of the United States and local currency shall exceed two dollars
and forty cents of local currency for one dollar of money of the United States, then
and in that case the grantee may require from the passengers the payment for fares
of sufficient local currency to be the equivalent of the fares above fixed in money of
the United States at the official ratio: And provided further, That at any time after
90 EEPOET OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION.
twenty-five years from the date hereof, upon due notice from the city of Manila to the
grantee, the fares charged by the grantee may be readjusted on a reasonable basis
by three arbitrators, one to be chosen by the city, one by the grantee, and the third
to be selected by the two so chosen if they can agree, but if not, then to be selected
by the chief executive of the islands. The award of the majority of such arbitra-
tors shall be final.
There is also a provision for sale of 20 first-class tickets for a dollar
and of six second-class tickets for 25 cents.
The contract required that construction should be begun in six
months, and a formal breaking of ground was made in September.
The material for the construction has been distributed all over the
city, and the real work of construction has begun this month, it hav-
ing been delayed because of the rainy season and a fear that the con-
tinued fall of rain would only subject the people of the city to the
inconvenience of obstructed streets without real progress. The
municipal board assures the Commission that the street cars will be
running about Thanksgiving Day of next year. Such good interurban
transportation as this will afford will reduce the cost of living in
Manila certainly 25 per cent for all persons enjoying salaries of less
than $2,500, for it is almost impossible now to live in Manila without
maintaining some sort of a conveyance. It is hoped that the company
will deem it wise to reduce below the bid the fare to be charged second
class, for it is quite certain that a reduction will vastly increase the
patronage. The oriental people are very fond of riding in rapidly
moving cars.
THE POKT WORKS.
The port works of Manila are progressing with all convenient
speed, as shown by the report of the officer in charge, hereto attached
and marked Exhibit W. The dredging of the 30-foot harbor by a
monster hydraulic dredge and the filling in of 168 acres in front of the
city running out into the bay goes on rapidly. The dredge delivers
25,000 cubic yards a day and works with great regularity. The break-
water which is to protect the harbor from the southwest monsoon has
been filled in to a depth of 30 feet, so that it is visible at high water.
There will be no finer harbor in the Orient than Manila will have when
this great work is accomplished. Two millions of dollars have already
been appropriated and it will probably cost two millions more, perhaps
three millions, before everything connected with the port is completed,
including wharves and suitable warehouses. However, the govern-
ment will have 160 acres of most valuable warehouse property which
it may sell and which will go far toward recouping itself for the
expense. The tonnage of the shipping coming into this harbor has
increased so much that the wisdom of the engineers and of the Com-
mission in enlarging the harbor be}^ond the projected lines of the
Spanish engineers and Government has already been vindicated. Little
REPORT OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION. . 91
or no progress has been made with respect to the Cebu and Iloilo har-
bor improvements, because no one has been willing to contract for the
work. The Atlantic, Gulf and Pacific Company, engaged in the
Manila improvement, is not yet able to take up another work and there
is no one else, apparently, who has plant enough in the vicinity to make
the undertaking of such contracts for dredging profitable. It is quite
probable that the government will have to undertake the contracts by
its own engineers and workmen.
EXECUTIVE BUREAU.
The work which has been done by the executive bureau, which has
not inaptly been called a clearing house for all the bureaus of the
government, fairly gauges the size and importance of the government
work which has been done in the Philippines. The report of Mr.
Fergusson, the executive secretary, who is the efficient head of the
executive bureau, which is annexed hereto and marked Exhibit X, shows
clearly the earnest work done by government clerks and completely
refutes the suggestion that their places are sinecures. Their fidelity
and earnestness are largely due to the consciousness that steady appli-
cation will bring promotion, and no fear or favor will be shown in
giving it. I invite especial attention to the report of the recorder of
the Commission, which is appended to the report of the executive
secretary, and which probably gives a better idea of the labors of the
Commission than any more general statement could. It is not too
much to say that the executive bureau is organized with the utmost
efficiency and dispatches an immense amount of work. I am glad to
say that the number of Filipinos employed during the present year in
the bureau has increased 150 per cent over previous years, and that the
Filipinos are displaying an adaptability and capacity for work which
justifies the prophecy that in ten years the expense of carrying on the
government will be largely decreased by the fact that Filipinos can be
had to do the work as well as Americans in many positions, and at
very considerably less salaries, because the supply of such clerks will
be far greater than of American clerks, and because in their own country
they are able to live on much less. I append as Exhibit Y the execu-
tive orders and proclamations from October 1, 1902, to September 30,
1903.
Respectfully submitted.
Wm. H. Taft, Civil Governor.
The Philippine Commission,
Manila, P. L
EXHIBIT A.
Executive Oedek, 1 The Government of the Philippine Islands,
V Executive Bueeau,
No. 64. j Manila, July 31, 1903.
The following regulations will govern the sale and distribution of rice furnished
under the appropriation by Congress for the relief of the people of the Philippine
Islands:
Before rice is furnished to any province its provincial board will submit to the civil
governor an estimate of the quantity of rice which can be used to advantage in a given
period and a statement of the conditions in the province which make the distribution
of rice desirable.
All rice furnished by the civil government will be consigned to the supervisor or
the supervisor-treasurer of the province to which it is shipped. At the time of ship-
ment the insular purchasing agent will forward to the insular auditor a copy of the
notice of shipment, together with a statement of the price at which the rice is to be
sold, which shall include cost of transportation and handling, but shall exclude
duty, if any. The expense of storing and subsequent handling of the rice shall
be at the expense of the province, except when the civil governor shall order
otherwise.
All rice shall be receipted for to the insular purchasing agent by the supervisor or
supervisor-treasurer to whom consigned, and shall be taken up by the latter officer
who shall be accountable on his official bond for the same and render accounts
therefor to the insular auditor as hereinafter provided.
Where the rice is used for public works a full report of its issue and distribution
shall be made to the civil governor, in addition to the account which is required
by the Auditor, with a definite statement of the public improvement upon which it
has been used, the number of days of labor, and the amount of material secured.
Xo rice shall be distributed gratuitously, except in limited quantities to deserving
persons unable to work, and upon the recommendation and order of the provincial
board, approved by the civil governor, to whom will be made a statement of the
peculiar circumstances calling for such action.
In cases where rice is sold, the proceeds of the sales will be deposited in the provin-
cial treasury. The money so received shall be placed to the credit of a " Congressional
relief fund," and thereafter maybe disbursed as other funds, on the order of the
provincial board, for public works, and accounted for in the usual manner to the
auditor, full report thereon being made to the civil governor.
The accounts of the supervisor or supervisor-treasurer to the insular auditor will be
rendered on a regular property return, Auditor's Form 700, monthly instead of quar-
terly, supported as follows:
(a) In the case of direct sales, by proper abstracts, showing date of sale, name of
purchaser, quantity sold, with price and total amount received. This abstract should
be certified as correct by the person in charge of the sales and by the supervisor,
and be accompanied by the receipt of the provincial treasurer for the amount deposited
in the provincial treasury.
Sales to commercial firms will not be allowed except upon advance approval of
the civil governor.
(b) In the case of the issue of rice in payment of labor performed, the regular
labor pay roll, Provincial Form 57, will be used, modified so as to show in the
columns marked "Rate of pay" and "Amount paid," certain fixed units of measure
in rice instead of money. The certificates at the bottom of the roll should also be
modified by substituting the words "issue" and "issued," respectively, for "pay-
ment" and "paid." The money value of the rice so issued in payment for labor
will be computed and stated on the pay roll, and the amount represented by such
money value of such pay rolls will be taken up by the provincial treasurer in his
revenue account as receipts from rice sales and placed to the credit of the aforesaid
93
94 EEPOET OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION.
"Congressional relief fund." Credit will be taken for the same amount as a
disbursement for labor on public works, the voucher being the pay rolls received
from the supervisor or supervisor-treasurer. The latter officer will drop the rice so
disposed of on his returns, supporting the same by the receipt of the provincial
treasurer for the amount represented by the pay rolls, and taken up by the latter,
as in the case of sales made in the regular way.
(c) In case of gratuitous distribution ordered by the provincial board and approved
by the civil governor, the same abstract will be used as in the case of sales, modified
to show gratuitous distribution instead of sale, certified as correct by the officer mak-
ing the distribution, which distribution will be witnessed by two disinterested, repu-
table citizens, whose certificate that they were present and witnessed the issue must
appear on the abstract.
In order to facilitate the operation of this order throughout the province, the pro-
vincial supervisor or the supervisor-treasurer shall have power to designate in writing
any municipal officer as his deputy for the purpose of this issue, who shall serve
without additional compensation.
Wm. H. Taft,
Civil Governor.
[No. 797.]
AN ACT appropriating the sum of five hundred thousand dollars, in money of the United States,
from the fund of three million dollars appropriated hy the Congress of the United States for the
relief of distress in the Philippine Islands, for expenditure under the direction of the civil governor
upon resolutions of the Philippine Commission.
By authority of the United States, be it enacted by the Philippine Commission, that:
Section 1. The sum of five hundred thousand dollars, in money of the United
States, is hereby appropriated out of the fund of three million dollars appropriated
by the Congress of the United States for the relief of distress in the Philippine
Islands, for expenditure under the direction of the civil governor for such purposes
and in such manner as may from time to time be authorized by resolutions of the
Philippine Commission, and in carrying out the intent of the Congress of the United
States in appropriating the fund aforesaid.
Sec. 2. The sum of money by this act appropriated shall be withdrawn from the
insular treasury by requisitions in favor of the disbursing officer of the executive
bureau or of the insular purchasing agent, as the civil governor may direct, in such
allotments as may from time to time be necessary, and shall be accounted for as pro-
vided by law.
Sec 3. The resolutions of the Philippine Commission upon which the funds herein
appropriated shall be expended shall be printed and published in quarterly volumes.
Sec 4. The public good requiring the speedy enactment of this bill, the passage of
the same is hereby expedited in accordance with section two of " An act prescribing
the order of procedure by the Commission in the enactment of laws," passed Sep-
tember twenty-sixth, nineteen hundred.
Sec 5. This act shall take effect on its passage.
Enacted, July 10, 1903.
[No. 738.]
AN ACT appropriating the sum of one hundred thousand dollars, in money of the United States, for
preliminary expenses in the purchase of draft cattle for the relief of agricultural conditions in the
Philippine Islands.
By authority of the United States, be it enacted by the Philippine Commission, that:
Section 1. The sum of one hundred thousand dollars, in money of the United
States, is hereby appropriated out of the three million dollars voted by the Congress
of the United States for the relief of agricultural depression in the Philippine Islands
and now on deposit in the depository of the Philippine government in the city of
New York to the credit of the insular treasury, for the preliminary expenses of the
insular purchasing agent and other agents of the insular government in visiting the
ports and countries where draft cattle may be purchased, in paying agents for the
procuring of such cattle, in securing the necessary immunization against rinderpest
of the cattle purchased, in paying the purchase price for same, in chartering the
REPORT OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION. 95
necessary transportation for their importation into the Philippine Islands, and for all
other expenses incident to their purchase and delivery in the Philippine Islands.
Sec. 2. The sum of money by this act appropriated shall be expended by the insular
purchasing agent, and accounted for by him as provided by law.
Sec 3. The public good requiring the speedy enactment of this bill, the passage of
the same is hereby expedited in accordance with section two of " An act prescribing
the order of procedure by the Commission in the enactment of laws," passed Sep-
tember twenty-sixth, nineteen hundred.
Sec. 4. This act shall take effect on its passage.
Enacted, April 8, 1903.
[No. 817.]
AN ACT declaring that the presence of locusts in various provinces of the islands so threatens the
food supplv for the coming year as to present a public emergency requiring radical action, and
authorizing and providing for the appointment of a board in each province with full powers to call
upon all able-bodied inhabitants thereof to take united action to suppress the pest, and for other
purposes.
Whereas the presence of locusts in various provinces of the Philippine Archipelago
so threatens the entire food supply of the islands for the coming year, and presents
such an emergency and danger to the welfare of the whole people as to require
prompt and radical action for its suppression: Therefore,
By authority of the United States, be it enacted by the Philippine Commission, that:
Section 1. Under the presidency of the provincial governor a board is hereby cre-
ated in each province for the purpose of suppressing the locust pest, such board to
be made up of the members of the provincial board and three agriculturalists to be
appointed by the civil governor, with the advice and consent of the Commission, and
to be known as the locust board. The provincial secretary shall act as secretary of
the locust board without additional compensation. It shall be the duty of the locust
board to enforce the provisions of this act.
Sec 2. In every province in which a plague of locusts is threatened or exists
every able-bodied inhabitant, subject to such regulations and limitations as the
board constituted under this act may adopt, is hereby declared to be liable to
service in suppressing the locust pest.. The board is hereby empowered to issue
regulations directing the conduct of the persons summoned for the purposes of
this act and to control their operations, either directly or through the municipal
officers of the various municipalities who are hereby, in respect to the scope of this
act, made subordinates of the board hereby constituted. The regulations of the
board may require that the inhabitants shall work en masse or in such force and in
such manner as may be deemed by the board most efficacious to the end in view, or
the board may require that each inhabitant subject to this act shall collect a given
quantity of locusts, fixing the amount thereof in "gantas" or "cavanes." It is
hereby declared to be the intent of this act to give the board hereby constituted full
discretion in the manner of suppressing the locust pest. .
Sec 3. It shall be the duty of municipal councilors, and of all other municipal
officers, upon the appearance of locusts within their respective barrios to bring the
fact at once to the attention of the municipal president, whose duty it shall be to
take the necessary steps prescribed by the regulations of the board hereby constituted,
and to bring the fact to the notice of the board through the provincial governor.
Sec 4. Where any persons summoned under this act to the public service herein
required shall, by reason of their poverty, be unable to suppprt themselves with food
during their service, the board hereby constituted may authorize the municipality to
furnish them with sufficient rice from the store of rice sent to the province by the
civil governor and paid for from the "congressional relief fund," reporting at once
to the civil governor, and by telegram where possible, the amount needed for such
purpose.
Sec 5. Every person liable under this act to the lawful orders of the board hereby
constituted who shall fail to comply with the same shall be deemed guilty of a mis-
demeanor and shall be fined or imprisoned, or both, in the discretion of the munici-
pal president, in accordance with the regulations to be provided by the board: Pro-
vided, however, That the penalty shall not exceed in any case ten dollars fine or ten
days' imprisonment, or both.
Sec 6. The moneys accruing from fines for violations of this act shall constitute a
special fund to be deposited with the municipal treasurer of the municipality in
96 BEPORT OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION.
which such violation occurs for the purpose of being applied by him in payment
for the hoppers or "loctones" turned over to him by such persons as have already
fulfilled the requirements of the obligation imposed upon them by virtue of the pro-
visions of section two of this act. The price to be paid for this purpose shall also
be determined and fixed in the regulations to be adopted by the board constituted
under this act.
Sec. 7. The board constituted by this act is hereby authorized to purchase the
number of galvanized-iron sheets considered indispensable in the suppression of the
locusts by the method of destroying them in trenches, reporting the amount needed
at once by telegram to the civil governor, who is hereby authorized to expend such
amount as in his discretion is needed for the purchase of such galvanized-iron sheets.
The provincial supervisor or supervisor-treasurer of the province is required to take
up such galvanized-iron sheets upon his property return and to duly account for the
same.
Sec. 8. The public good requiring the speedy enactment of this bill, the passage
of the same is hereby expedited in accordance with section two of ' ' An act pre-
scribing the order of procedure by the Commission in the enactment of laws,"
passed September twenty-sixth, nineteen hundred.
Sec 9. This act shall take effect on its passage.
Enacted, August 3, 1903.
By the Civil Governor of the Philippine Islands.
A PROCLAMATION.
Whereas the Philippine Commission did, on the twelfth day of November, nine-
teen hundred and two, pass the following act:
"AN ACT to provide against the danger of famine in the provinces of the Philippine Archipelago.
u By authority of the United States, be it enacted by the Philippine Commission, that:
" Section 1. To provide against the danger of famine, due to the short crop for the
coming year in rice and other food stuffs usually produced in the provinces of the
Philippine Archipelago, it shall be the duty of all municipal presidents to call meet-
ings of the people of their respective municipalities, to notify them of the impending
danger of famine, and to urge them at once to take steps to secure the necessary seed
and to plant quick-growing crops of corn, camotes, rice, or other food plants, which-
ever may furnish the most abundant crop in the particular locality, sufficient in
quantity to produce the requisite food for the people of the municipality for the com-
ing year.
"Sec. 2. Any municipal president is authorized to allot to the citizens of his
municipality such public land as there may be within the boundaries of the munici-
pality at present unoccupied, for the planting of the seed and the raising of the crops
provided for in this act.
"Sec. 3. The crops planted and gathered under this act shall belong to the persons
planting and gathering the same, even though they be planted upon the public land;
and no rent for the public land thus used shall be chargeable against the persons so
using same.
' ' Sec. 4. In cases where it is impossible in the municipality or province to secure
the proper seed, the municipal council shall call upon the provincial board to pro-
cure the needed seed through the insular purchasing agent. The provincial board shall
purchase the needed seed from the general funds of the province, and shall sell the
same to the presidents of the municipalities whose councils have called for seed.
The seed furnished by a provincial board to any municipality shall be receipted for
by the municipal president and paid for out of the municipal funds by order of the
municipal council. The seed shall then be sold to the residents of the municipality
at the cost price thereof. If any person having land of his own, or tilling the public
land, shall be known to be unable to pay for the seed, the municipal president may
furnish him the seed without receiving the price thereof, in which case he shall col-
lect an amount equal to the value of the seed furnished from the new crop, and shall
sell the same and reimburse the municipal treasury with the proceeds.
"Sec. 5. Each municipal president shall keep a record of the amount of seed
furnished to the inhabitants of his municipality and the number of hectares planted
by each inhabitant in accordance with the requirements of this act, and it shall be
his further duty to make monthly reports of his proceedings under this act to the
provincial governor.
REPORT OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION. 97
" Sec. 6. It shall be the duty of the provincial governor to see that the municipal
presidents discharge their duties under this act, and if they fail to do so to suspend
them and bring them before the provincial board to answer to the charges of non-
compliance therewith.
"The provincial governor shall make monthly reports of the proceedings of the
municipal presidents and his own proceedings under this act to the civil governor.
"Sec. 7. Any municipal president receiving seed from the provincial board under
section four of this act who shall appropriate it to his own use or shall fail to dis-
tribute it in accordance with the terms of this act, or who shall knowingly permit or
connive at the use of the seed for any other purpose than planting a new crop as in
this act provided, shall be held to be guilty of embezzlement, and shall be punished
by a fine not exceeding one thousand dollars or by imprisonment not exceeding
three years, or both, in the discretion of the court.
"Sec 8. It shall be the duty of the civil governor to issue a proclamation to the
governors of the provinces, reciting the terms of this act and directing them to order
the municipal presidents in accordance herewith to call the people of their respec-
tive municipalities together and secure the action required by this act.
"Sec 9. The said proclamation of the civil governor shall be printed in English
and Spanish and in the principal dialects of the islands, and shall be forwarded to the
various provincial governors to be by them distributed among the municipalities of
their respective provinces.
"Sec 10. The public good requiring the speedy enactment of this bill, the passage
of the same is hereby expedited in accordance with section two of 'An act prescrib-
ing the order of procedure by the Commission in the enactment of laws,' passed
September twenty-sixth, nineteen hundred.
"Sec 11. This act shall take effect on its passage."
Now, therefore, I, William H. Taft, civil governor of the Philippine Islands, do
hereby direct all provincial governors to order the municipal presidents to call the
people of their respective municipalities together and secure the action required by
the provisions of the act just quoted.
In testimony wThereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the
government of the Philippine Islands to be affixed.
Done at the city of Manila this nineteenth day of November, one thousand nine
hundred and two.
[seal.] Wm. H. Taft.
By the civil governor:
Beekman Winthrop,
Acting Executive Secretary.
[No. 517.]
AN ACT to provide against the danger of famine in the provinces of the Philippine Archipelago.
By authority of the United States, be it enacted by the Philippine Commission, that:
Section 1. To provide against the danger of famine, due to the short crop for the
coming year in rice and other food stuffs usually produced in the provinces of the
Philippine Archipelago, it shall be the duty of all municipal presidents to call meet-
ings of the people of their respective municipalities, to notify them of the impending
danger of famine, and to urge them at once to take steps to secure the necessary seed
and to plant quick-growing crops of corn, camotes, rice, or other food plants, which-
ever may furnish the most abundant crop in the particular locality, sufficient in
quantity to produce the requisite food for the people of the municipality for the
coming year.
Sec 2. .Any municipal president is authorized to allot to the citizens of his munici-
pality such public land as there may be within the boundaries of the municipality at
present unoccupied, for the planting of the seed and the raising of the crops provided
for in this act.
Sec 3. The crops planted and gathered under this act shall belong to the persons
planting and gathering the same, even though they be planted upon the public land,
and no rent for the public land thus used shall be chargeable against the persons so
using same.
Sec 4. In cases where it is impossible in the municipality or province to secure
the proper seed, the municipal council shall call upon the provincial board to procure
the needed seed through the insular purchasing agent. The provincial board shall
WAR 1903— VOL 5 7
98 REPORT OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION.
purchase the needed seed from the general funds of the province, and shall sell the
same to the presidents of the municipalities whose councils have called for seed.
The seed furnished by a provincial board to any municipality shall be receipted for
by the municipal president and paid for out of the municipal funds by order of the
municipal council. The seed shall then be sold to the residents of the municipality at
the cost price thereof. If any person having land of his own, or tilling the public
land, shall be known to be unable to pay for the seed, the municipal president may
furnish him the seed without receiving the price thereof, in which case he shall col-
lect an amount equal to the value of the seed furnished from the new crop, and shall
sell the same and reimburse the municipal treasury with the proceeds.
Sec. 5. Each municipal president shall keep a record of the amount of seed fur-
nished to the inhabitants of his municipality and the number of hectares planted by
each inhabitant in accordance with the requirements of this act, and it shall be his
further duty to make monthly reports of his proceedings under this act to the pro-
vincial governor.
Sec. 6. It shall be the duty of the provincial governor to see that the municipal
presidents discharge their duties under this act, and if they fail to do so to suspend
them and bring them before the provincial board to answer to the charges of non-
compliance therewith.
The provincial governor shall make monthly reports of the proceedings of the
municipal presidents and his own proceedings under this act to the civil governor.
Sec 7. Any municipal president receiving seed from the provincial board under
section four of this act who shall appropriate it to his own use or shall fail to dis-
tribute it in accordance with the terms of this act, or who shall knowingly permit or
connive at the use of the seed for any other purpose than planting a new crop as in
this act provided, shall be held to be guilty of embezzlement, and shall be punished
by a fine not exceeding one thousand dollars, or by imprisonment not exceeding
three years, or both, in the discretion of the court.
Sec. 8. It shall be the duty of the civil governor to issue a proclamation to the gov-
ernors of the provinces, reciting the terms of this act and directing them to order the
municipal presidents in accordance herewith to call the people of their respective
municipalities together and secure the action required by this act.
Sec. 9. The said proclamation of the civil governor shall be printed in English and
Spanish and in the principal dialects of the islands, and shall be forwarded to the
various provincial governors, to be by them distributed among the municipalities of
their respective provinces.
Sec 10. The public good requiring the speedy enactment of this bill, the passage
of the same is hereby expedited in accordance with section two of ' ' An act prescribing
the order of procedure by the Commission in the enactment of laws," passed Sep-
tember twenty-sixth, nineteen hundred.
Sec 11. This act shall take effect on its passage.
Enacted, November 12, 1902.
[No. 495.]
AN ACT appropriating the sum of two million dollars, local currency, for expenses in connection
with the purchase and distribution of rice to inhabitants of the Philippine Islands in provinces suf-
fering from scarcity of food, and for other purposes.
By authority of the United States, be it enacted by the Philippine Commission, that:
Section 1. The sum of two million dollars, local currency, is hereby appropriated,
from any funds in .the insular treasury not otherwise appropriated, for expenses in
the purchase and distribution of rice for the inhabitants of the Philippine Islands in
provinces suffering from lack of food.
Sec 2. The purchase of rice shall be made by the insular purchasing agent in such
quantities and at such prices and times as the civil governor may direct. The rice
so purchased shall be distributed in such manner and sold at such prices and in such
localities as the civil governor may direct; but no sale shall be made except for cash
nor at a price less than the actual cost thereof, including all expenses in connection
with the distribution and sale of the same, such as transportation, shrinkage, storage,
and customs duties.
Sec 3. The amounts received from the sale of such rice shall be deposited in the
insular treasury as soon as the same are received.
Sec 4. The public good requiring the speedy enactment of this bill, the passage of
EEPOET OP THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION. 99
the same is hereby expedited in accordance with section two of "An act prescribing
the order of procedure by the Commission in the enactment of laws," passed Sep-
tember twenty-sixth, nineteen hundred.
Sec. 5. This act shall take effect on its passage.
Enacted, November 4, 1902.
[No. 828.]
AN ACT authorizing the insular purchasing agent and provincial boards to sell carabao and other
draft animals purchased out of the congressional relief fund by the insular government for the
purpose of restocking the islands with draft animals and replacing draft animals destroyed by
disease or other causes.
By authority of the United States, be it enacted by the Philippine Commission, that:
Section 1. All carabao and other draft animals purchased by the insular government
out of the congressional relief fund shall be branded by the insular purchasing agent
with the government brand and a consecutive number, of which proper entry and
account shall be kept by said insular purchasing agent, together with the name of
the vessel on which the animals were shipped to the islands, the number under
which they were shipped, the date of their arrival in the Philippines, and their final
disposition under proper regulations to be prescribed in executive orders by the civil
governor.
Sec 2. The insular purchasing agent may consign to provincial boards for sale
upon proper requisition such number of said carabao or other draft animals as may
be required by the board and authorized by resolution of the Commission.
Sec 3. The insular purchasing agent and provincial boards to which consignments
of carabao and other draft animals may be made in accordance with section two of
this act are hereby authorized to sell such animals at public auction or in such other
manner as may be authorized by resolution of the Commission to farmers and other
persons requiring and needing them to perform work or labor on the property of the
buyers or on property leased, hired, or occupied by them, or in or about a business
owned, managed, or conducted by them. In case of the sale of cattle under this act
a certificate of purchase of the cattle, with the proper descriptions, shall be issued to
such purchaser of such cattle by the insular purchasing agent or the provincial treas-
urer for the provincial board, in the form and containing details to be set forth in
regulations of the civil governor to accord, so far as may be, with certificates of pur-
chase required by law for private sales of carabao: Provided, however, That no stamp
for such sale shall be required.
Sec 4. Where practicable, reasonable notice of all sales of carabao and other draft
animals shall be given by the insular purchasing agent or the provincial board, as the
case may be, and if at the time and place of sale more than one purchaser is present
the privilege of choice shall be put up at auction and awarded to the person bidding
the highest sum therefor, in addition to the minimum price for each carabao pur-
chased, which minimum price is hereby fixed at seventy pesos, Philippines currency,
for cash sales, and ninety-three pesos, Philippines currency, for part cash and part
credit sales as hereafter defined, or the equivalent of these prices in Mexican or
Spanish-Filipino currency at the official rate.
Sec 5. All animals provided to be sold by this act shall be sold either for cash or
one-third cash, one-third in one year from date of sale, and one-third in two years
from date of sale, without interest, or upon such other terms as may be fixed by reso-
lution of the Commission: Provided, That all deferred payments shall be secured by
pledge, mortgage, or personal guaranty satisfactory to the provincial board or the
insular purchasing agent, as the case may be: And provided further, That any part of
the purchase money unpaid shall constitute a preferred lien on the animals sold, in
favor of the insular government as against all persons whomsoever: And provided
further, That where a purchaser on credit shall desire to anticipate the second install-
ment by payment of the entire price in one year he shall be allowed to satisfy the
debt by a total payment of eighty-one pesos, Philippines currency, instead of ninety-
three pesos, as above provided.
Sec 6. The insular purchasing agent shall keep a true and correct account of all
sales made by him under the terms of this act, together with the consecutive num-
bers and brands of the animals sold, the name, address, business, or occupation of the
purchaser, the full price for which sold, the cash paid, the amount due and security
given (in case of credit sales), and make true report thereof to the insular auditor.
100 KEPOKT OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION.
Sec. 7. The provincial treasurer shall keep a true account of all sales of animals
made by the provincial board under the terms of this act, together with the consecu-
tive numbers and brands of the animals sold, the name, address, business, or
occupation of the purchaser, the full price for which sold, the cash paid, the amount
due and the security given (in case of credit sales), and make a true report thereof
to the insular auditor and to the insular purchasing agent.
Sec. 8. No animal purchased under the terms of this act for which the full price
has not been paid and a certificate given therefor shallbe sold, transferred, or pledged
without the permission of the provincial board making the sale by resolution or of
the insular purchasing agent in writing, which resolution or written permission shall
contain the name of the first purchaser and of the vendee, transferree, or pledgee
and his business and address and a description of the animal with its brands, and
shall be recorded in the books of the provincial treasurer and of the insular pur-
chasing agent. In case the permission is given by the insular purchasing agent, he
shall forward a copy thereof to the insular auditor and to the provincial treasurer of
the province where the animal was originally sold, and when the permission is
granted by a provincial board a copy of the resolution shall be forwarded by the
provincial treasurer to the insular purchasing agent and the insular auditor. A pur-
chaser or his agent violating the provisions of this section shall be punished by a
fine not exceeding five hundred Philippine pesos or by imprisonment not exceeding
one year, or by both such fine and imprisonment as to the court may seem just.
Sec. 9. The public good requiring the speedy enactment of this bill, the passage
of the same is hereby expedited in accordance with section two of ' ' An act pre-
scribing the order of procedure by the Commission in the enactment of laws,"
passed September twenty-sixth, nineteen hundred.
Sec. 10. This act shall take effect on its passage.
Enacted August 7, 1903.
[No. 786.]
AN ACT appropriating the sum of two hundred and fifty thousand dollars, in money of the United
States, for expenses in connection with the purchase, sale, and distribution of rice to inhabitants of
the Philippine Islands in the discretion of the civil governor.
By authority of the United States, be it enacted by the Philippine Commission, that:
Section 1. The sum of two hundred and fifty thousand dollars, in money of the
United States, is hereby appropriated out of the fund of three million dollars appro-
priated by the Congress of the United States for the relief of distress in the Philippine
Islands, for expenditure in the purchase of rice for the purpose of securing to the
inhabitants of the Philippine Islands opportunity to purchase rice at reasonable prices
and for the purpose of distributing rice gratuitously to those people who are suffering
from lack of food and unable to pay for the same.
Sec. 2. The purchase of rice, authorized by section one hereof, shall be made by
the insular purchasing agent in such manner and quantities and at such prices and
times as the civil governor may direct. The rice so purchased shall be distributed
by sale at such prices and in such localities as the civil governor may direct, or shall
be paid for by work on roads or other public improvements, or shall be distributed
in emergencies gratuitously to starving people upon order of the civil governor: Pro-
vided, however, That it is the declared policy of the Commission to distribute rice
gratuitously only in cases of sudden emergencies and in all other cases of destitution
to furnish rice in consideration of work done for the public. Where distribution of
rice, either by sale or gratuitously, is made under the provisions of this act for the
inhabitants of any province, such rice shall be sent to the provincial supervisor of
such province, by him to be distributed under the orders of the provincial board and
the civil governor.
Sec 3. When any of the rice purchased under this actshall be sold by a provincial
supervisor or supervisor-treasurer, as the case may be, the proceeds of the sale shall
be paid into the provincial treasury upon order of the supervisor. The provincial
treasurer or provincial supervisor-treasurer shall then account to the insular treasurer
for all moneys thus received and remit the same to the insular treasurer upon order of
the insular auditor. When the rice shall be sold directly by the insular purchasing
agent, the proceeds of the sale shall be deposited in the insular treasmy forthwith
upon order of the auditor. When the rice is distributed for work done or gratuitously,
the supervisor shall keep careful account of the rice thus distributed and make
report thereof to the insular auditor, including a statement of the work done for the
rice distributed, with copy of the receipts received by him from the beneficiaries or from
REPORT OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION. 101
the presidents or other municipal officers, through whom such distribution is made.
The accounting by the insular purchasing agent and the provincial supervisors and
treasurers under this act shall be in accordance with regulations to be prescribed by
the insular auditor.
Sec. 4. The public good requiring the speedy enactment of this bill, the passage of
the same is hereby expedited in accordance with section two of "An act prescribing
the order of procedure by the Commission in the enactment of laws," passed Sep-
tember twenty-sixth, nineteen hundred.
Sec. 5. This act shall take effect on its passage.
Enacted June 1, 1003.
EXCERPTS FROM THE MINUTES OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION CONCERNING KICE.
Excerpt from minutes of July 23, 1903.
Be it resolved, That under act No. 797 the civil governor is hereby authorized to
direct the auditor to draw a warrant on the insular treasury in favor of the provin-
cial treasurer of Albay for the sum of twenty-five thousand dollars, United States
currency, the same to be deposited in the provincial treasury of Albay and to be
disbursed upon the order of the provincial board of Albay for public improvements
in such a manner as to furnish labor to the people of the province who shall be in
necessitous circumstances; the disbursement of the funds to be made by the provin-
cial treasurer in accordance with law, subject to the same accounting to the auditor
as provided for the disbursement of other provincial funds. The provincial treasurer
is also required to make a full report of the expenditure of this fund to the civil gov-
ernor to enable the civil governor, as required by the act of Congress, to report to
Congress the disposition of the money. The provincial board of Albay is authorized
to purchase rice with this fund and to use the rice in the payment of labor in so far
as it may be wise. The provincial board of Albay may also authorize in limited
quantities the use of rice purchased to relieve the wants of the indigent poor unable
to earn money by labor, but the amount thus expended can only be expended by
approval of the provincial board concurred in by the civil governor.
Excerpt from minutes of August 5, 1903.
On motion,
Resolved, That the civil governor be, and he is hereby, authorized to pay, from the
appropriation of five hundred thousand dollars made by act No. 797 from the Con-
gressional relief fund, a sum equivalent at the authorized rate of exchange to $130.81,
Mexican currency, to pay the expenses of transportation on one hundred and twenty-
five sacks of rice furnished to the provincial government of Abra for the relief of the
inhabitants of that province.
Excerpt from minutes of August 29, 1903.
On motion,
Resolved, That the civil governor is hereby authorized to expend from the fund
of five hundred thousand dollars appropriated from the three million dollar Con-
gressional relief fund by act No. 797 and made available for expenditure under his
direction, upon authorization by the Commission, the sum of two thousand dollars,
Philippines currency, to be used for the purpose of paying the charges of transporta-
tion on five hundred piculs of rice from San Fernando, in thex province of La Union
to Baguio, in the province o-f Benguet, which rice is to be used for the feeding of
laborers engaged on public improvements, and for other purposes, as directed by
the civil governor.
Excerpt from minutes of September 24, 1903.
On motion,
Resolved, That the civil governor is hereby authorized to direct an expenditure
from the funds appropriated under act No. 797 of the sum of one hundred thousand
dollars, United States currency, in the purchase of rice and the payment of trans-
portation and other charges incident to its distribution among the inhabitants of the
Philippine Islands, for the purpose of relieving famine and distress therein, said
funds having been withdrawn from the insular treasury by accountable warrant No.
3716, issued from the insular purchasing agent's requisition, dated August 12, 1903.
102 REPORT OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION.
Excerpt from minutes of October 1, 1903.
On motion,
Resolved, That the action of the insular purchasing agent in chartering the schooner
Kodiak at thirty dollars, United States currency, per day, for a period not to exceed
six months, to be used in the transportation of carabao, rice, coal, and other govern-
ment property between ports of the archipelago, for the purpose of relieving distress
among the inhabitants thereof, be, and is hereby, approved by the Commission; and
Be it further resolved, That the civil governor be, and is hereby, authorized to expend
from the funds appropriated by act No. 797, out of the Congressional relief fund, a
sum not exceeding five thousand five hundred dollars, United States currency, for
the payment of the charter fee of said schooner during such period as the same may
be in use by the insular purchasing agent.
Excerpt from minutes of October 2, 1903.
On motion of the president,
Resolved, That for the purpose of using the rice in the suppression of the locust
pest, in the construction and repair of roads and bridges and other public works, and
for the sale of rice in order to prevent the excessive prices in parts of the archipelago
where such prices are reported, the civil governor be, and is hereby, authorized to
purchase two shiploads of rice; one from Messrs. Castle Brothers, Wolf and Son,
Saigon white rice No. 2, at six pesos and two centavos, Philippines currency, per
picul, duty paid, said shipload containing between twenty-eight thousand and thirty-
two thousand piculs; and the second shipload from Messrs. Holliday, Wise and Com-
pany, Rangoon white rice No. 2, at six dollars and nineteen cents, Mexican currency,
per picul, duty paid, said shipload containing between twenty-eight thousand and
thirty-two thousand piculs; and that the civil governor is further authorized to dis-
tribute the rice bought in the various provinces in accordance with the methods
now provided by law for the purposes above recited.
Be it further resolved, That the civil governor is hereby authorized to expend from
the moneys appropriated from the Congressional relief fund by act No. 797 a suffi-
cient sum to meet the expenditures authorized herein; these resolutions being adopted
in accordance with section two of said act No. 797.
Excerpt from minutes of October 22, 1903.
On motion, it was
Resolved, That the civil governor is hereby authorized to direct an expenditure
from the funds appropriated under act No. 797 of the sum of $88,858.75, United States
currency, in payment of 29,521.18 piculs of Saigon No. 2 rice purchased from Castle
Brothers, Wolf and Sons at 6.02 pesos per picul, such rice being required for the pur-
pose of relieving famine and distress within the Philippine Islands.
Excerpt from minutes of November 6, 1903.
On motion,
Resolved, That the civil governor is hereby authorized to direct an expenditure
from the funds appropriated from the Congressional relief fund by act No. 797 of the
sum of one hundred thousand dollars, United States currency, in the purchase of rice
and the payment of transportation and other charges incident to its distribution
among the inhabitants of the Philippine Islands for the purpose of relieving famine
and distress therein.
EXHIBIT B.
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE INSULAR PURCHASING AGENT FOR
THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS FOR THE YEAR ENDING SEPTEM-
BER 30, 1903.
Office of the Insular Purchasing Age^t
For the Philippine Islands,
Manila, P. I., October 15, 1903.
The Executive Secretary,
Manila, P. I.
Sir: I have the honor to submit herewith the annual report of the bureau of the
insular purchasing agent for the year commencing October 1, 1902, and ending Sep-
tember 30, 1903.
In order to show an aggregate of the business, as shown in the detailed statements
attached hereto, I have reduced the amount shown as local currency, under the head
of "Purchase of supplies," to United States currency at the present legal rate:
Purchase of supplies (not including rice or carabao).
Total purchases, this office $1, 456, 065. 16
Transferred to United States 326, 026. 00
Contracts awarded, not fully completed 433, 184. 46
Total purchases 2, 215, 275. 62
Of this amount purchases have been made as follows:
Manila merchants $1, 785, 660. 52
United States 327, 782. 31
Japan 34, 437. 56
China 27, 449. 67
Australia 12, 474. 31
Germany 14, 152. 84
England 10, 732. 68
Italy 148. 00
France 2, 345. 81
British East Indies 91. 92
Total 2, 215, 275. 62
It will be seen from the above that but about 14 per cent oi all the purchases have
been made in the United States, and but a little over 4 per cent in all other coun-
tries, and that over 80 per cent of the entire purchase of supplies have been made
through the merchants of Manila.
The two buyers of this bureau have issued during this period 11,840 orders, making
an average of 38 orders placed in the local markets each working day of the year.
Seven thousand and forty-four requisitions were received from the various bureaus
and provinces, calling for 48,590 different items — an item consisting of any quantity
of articles; thus, 150 tons hay or 2,000,000 slate pencils being considered as one item.
The local receiving and shipping offices received and delivered during the year
50,941,122 articles. The foreign and provincial shipping office received 394,050
packages, weighing 62,446,224 pounds, or 1,244,522 cubic feet, making 31,223 tons,
and shipped 271,889 packages, weighing 44,156,465 pounds, or 749,065 cubic feet,
weighing 22,403 tons, making a total of 53,626 tons handled.
There were 11,459 letters received and 8,594 written and 621 free entries issued
103
104 REPORT OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION.
Under the provisions of Acts Nos. 495, 786, and 797 of the Philippine Commission
this bureau, in addition to the regular purchase of supplies, has purchased rice
amounting to $2,451,168.04 local currency, and has sold rice to the amount of
$2,310,633.06; having on hand at the present time rice amounting to $107,152.84. A
full and detailed statement of all rice transactions is attached hereto.
Under an act of the Commission a part of the Congressional relief fund was set
aside to be used for the purchase of carabao for the purpose of restocking the Philip-
pine Islands by the sale of carabao to the provinces depleted by rhinderpest. A con-
tract for 10,000 head of these animals has been entered into by this bureau with
Messrs. Keylock & Pratt, of Shanghai, in deliveries of 500 per month. Up to the
present but 773 have been delivered under the contract, and these are being sold as
rapidly as they are permanently immunized against rhinderpest by the bureau of
government laboratories.
The demands on the transportation department of this bureau are rapidly increas-
ing, and there is now in use in that department 18 American horses, 18 Australian
horses, 34 mules, 158 native horses, 80 carromatas, 13 carratelas, 15 escort wagons, 7
trucks, 3 delivery wagons, 5 quilez, 1 calesa.
Plans have been drawn for new stables, and when completed the work of this
department can be carried on in a more satisfactory manner.
The total amount of money received from all sources and accounted for by this
bureau, as shown by the attached statements of the disbursing officer, aggregate
$3,221,803.71 United States currency and $3,988,108.36 local currency, showing a bal-
ance on hand of $65,281.21 United States currency. There is also stock on hand in
regular supplies amounting to $571,319.64 Philippine pesos.
The disbursements and collections of this amount entailed 2,539 separate settle-
ments, carried on 3,948 vouchers, covering approximately 15,000 invoices, as audited
and checked against 12,908 purchase orders; the issuing of 11,719 invoices in quad-
ruplicate; 718 settlements with provinces, covering 2,193 vouchers, and the settle-
ment of 2,500 bills of lading.
In rendering this report, showing as it does the purchasing, handling, and shipping
of $3,281,000.85 worth of property and the accounting of $5,021,045.09 United States
currency, I desire to express my appreciation of the able assistance rendered the
chief of this bureau by Mr. Gus Johnson, chief clerk; Mr. W. W. Garver, disbursing
officer; Mr. F. H. Garrett, chief of property division; Mr. H. J. Black and J. N.
Weir, local buyers; Mr. S. J. Epperly, chief record division; Mr. George Raetzell,
chief property returns, and their assistants. They have worked many hours over-
time in order to help in meeting the demands made on this bureau.
Respectfully submitted.
M. L. Stewart,
Assistant ana Acting Insular Purchasing Agent.
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108
KEPOftT OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION.
Disbursing officer's statement for the year ending September 30, 1903.
[United States currency.]
RECEIPTS.
Balance on hand October 1, 1902 (Inclosure A) $13, 975. 36
Sundry refunds (Inclosure A) = 4, 913. 40
From treasurer Philippine Islands, sundry warrants 2, 793, 925. 71
2,812,814.47
DISBURSEMENTS.
Loss in exchange (Inclosure A) 7.78
Transfers to officers (Inclosure A) 101, 806. 00
Purchase of supplies ( Inclosure B) 1, 340, 580. 10
Purchase of rice, act 495 (Inclosure C) 723, 640. 37
Purchase of rice, act 786 (Inclosure D ) 250, 000. 00
Furchase of rice, act 797 (Inclosure D) 81, 820. 82
Purchase of carabao, act 797 (Inclosure D) 41, 528. 44
Contingent expenses (Inclosure B) 23, 125. 24
Salaries and wages 152, 907. 80
Deposits with treasurer Philippine Islands 32, 116. 71
Balance on hand September 30, 1903 65, 281. 21
Total '. 2,812,814.47
Statement of departmental sales for the year ending September 30, 1903.
Name.
United States
currency.
Local
currency.
Attorney-general
Auditor, Philippine Islands
Ayunlamiento building
Benguet road
Magalan Baguio road
Benguet improvement
Bilibid prison
Board of health
Bureau of agriculture
Bureau of architecture
Bureau of archives
Bureau of patents and copyright
Bureau of ethnology and natural history
Bureau of forestry
Government laboratories
Bureau of mines
Bureau of non-Christian tribes
Bureau of public land
Bureau of public printing
Bureau of public instruction
Captain of the port
City assessor and collector
City attorney
Engineer in charge Calbayog pier
City engineer
Civil hospital
Civil hospital at Baguio
Civil-service board
Collector of customs
Court of first instance, Manila
Court of first instance, Zamboanga
Court of first instance, Jolo
Department of city schools
Secretary of finance and justice
Secretary of interior
Secretary of public instruction
Department of streets, parks, etc
Bureau of posts
Executive bureau
Fire department
Government farm, San Ramon
Insular cold storage and ice plant
Intendencia building
Municipal board
Municipal court, Pasig
City municipal court
Municipal court, south of Pasig
Philippines Constabulary
Ordnance department, Philippines Constabulary.
Prosecuting attorney
Police department
Quarantine officer
San Lazaro Hospital
Sheriff of Manila
$8,401.92
1,089.71
501. 84
22, 944. 23
294. 84
1,558.34
37, 927. 53
25,592.90
25,201.89
35, 120. 13
401. 57
154.69
456.53
6, 972. 32
22,651.61
525. 98
2,016.23
855. 97
30, 007. 87
48, 872. 25
80.85
2, 151. 93
645.28
186. 74
154, 924. 97
10,450.65
1,564.28
1, 010. 05
37, 087. 03
1,011.68
6.60
107. 32
6.13
4,054.54
6,268.19
100,736.13
27.94
74, 235. 95
486. 41
1,471.91
59.70
72.51
7.34
6,467.95
510. 54
545. 96
50,232.04
4, 454. 52
30.09
690. 16
$3,247.61
1,688.22
373. 23
16,587.49
398. 75
214. 24
102, 304. 60
66, 151. 69
20, 920. 84
181,449.50
24.61
142. 70
1,140.15
6,098.10
41,971.65
53.36
1,437.86
21.17
11, 756. 28
211, 147. 46
80.52
4,139.06
14,698.83
4,639.94
212,458.65
11,508.53
6, 051. 44
730. 30
26,864.65
713. 14
2, 753. 07
1.43
6.16
35. 77
15,844.11
524. 48
819. 23
9, 637. 61
86. 78
80, 635. 02
860. 14
2, 289. 54
407. 28
37.82
4, 820. 10
1, 027. 16
8, 369. 15
8,929.81
131. 10
904. 69
REPORT OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION.
109
Statement of departmental sales for year ending September 30, 1903 — Continued.
Name.
United States
currency.
Local
currency.
Chief signal officer
Supreme court
Treasurer, Philippine Islands
U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey
U. S. Philippine Commission
Weather Bureau
Pail system
Collector of internal revenue
Bureau coast guard and transportation.
Court of customs appeals
Insular purchasing agent
Trades School, Manila
Bureau of engineering
Census bureau
Potenciana building
Official Gazette
Exposition board
Court of land registration
Carabao corral
Opium commission
Register of deeds
Malacafiang
$8,215.14
2,653.20
2, 170. 43
743. 95
429. 63
16, 680. 84
256. 32
151, 230. 63
101.03
49,759.72
5,596.69
2,509.28
192. 66
672. 98
11, 628. 55
755. 94.
259. 98
58.93
304. 05
446. 99
Total.
988,384.71
$4.41
543.35
5,528.87
7,284.93
920. 13
4, 453. 51
8, 793. 81
87.07
217, 468. 13
1, 131. 99
45,391.87
4, 798. 73
2, 784. 43
4, 194. 61
180. 75
241.86
15,325.15
242. 32
21.55
1, 248. 60
1, 407, 714. 38
Statement of outstandings from the fiscal year 1902.
[United States currency.]
Name.
Amount.
Name.
Amount.
$838. 19
729.26
1, 551. 23
2,636.56
754.98
4, 103. 44
143. 00
1,252.06
$13. 75
Philippines Constabulary
Province of Capiz
Province of Abra
824. 21
Province of Masbate
1, 933. 86
Insular cold storage and ice plant
17.53
3.30
98.45
14,899.82
Statement of sales for the year ending September 30, 1903.
United States
currency.
Local currency.
Supplies to departments, Exhibit A .-
$988,384.71
174, 149. 40
$1,407,714.38
147,742.06
1, 085, 532. 79
482, 110. 12
735, 618. 42
9, 628. 60
Supplies to provinces, Exhibit B
Rice, act 495, Exhibit C
Rice, act 495, Exhibit D
Rice, acts 786 and 797, Exhibit E
5,282.27
1,500.00
10.21
Carabao, act 797
Miscellaneous sales, etc
820. 66
Total
1, 169, 326. 59
3,869, 167. 03
Memorandum of accounts outstanding for the year ending September 30, 1903.
United States
currency.
Local currency.
Account sales of rice, act 495
$48, 351. 02
56, 813. 60
Account sales of supplies to provinces
$54,852.83
14, 899. 82
Account sales to sundry provinces and departments, fiscal year 1902..
Total
69, 752. 65
105, 164. 62
110
REPORT OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION.
Cashier's statement for the year ending September 30, 1903.
United States
currency.
Local
currency.
United States
currency.
Local
currency.
October 1,1902, cash
on hand
$3, 630. 50
403,848.53
$51, 310. 74
2, 898, 794. 99
1,037,182.47
By sundry deposits
with treasurer
Philippine Is-
lands
$408, 989. 24
Receipts from sales
of supplies
Receipts from sales
$3, 988, 108. 86
Total
Receipts from sales
of carabao, act
797
1,500.00
10.21
Receipts from mis-
cellaneous sources
820. 66
Total . .
408,989.24
3, 988, 108. 86
408, 989. 24
3, 988, 108. 86
Exhibit B.
Statement of provincial sales and indebtedness for the year ending September 30, 1903.
Sales.
Outstandings.
Name.
United States
currency.
Local cur-
rency.
United States
currency.
Local cur-
rency.
Province of Abra
$309. 65
515. 62
3,675.68
7,605.80
162.04
1,171.50
136. 41
3, 260. 05
6, 973. 26
877. 43
1, 039. 19
2, 427. 76
2, 503. 10
214. 46
2, 037. 29
159. 79
4, 001. 07
1,649.27
188. 82
5, 817. 60
1,464.86
7, 309. 28
1, 718. 80
3, 037. 38
75.73
484. 50
168. 99
824. 56
8, 520. 07
1, 109. 03
754. 33
2, 262. 07
112. 90
12.10
23.66
1, 176. 46
5, 310. 76
2,474.36
615. 76
923. 46
90.30
1, 753. 90
32.10
14,286.09
3, 656. 53
8, 469. 51
135. 24
2, 694. 30
$251. 98
340. 37
3, 994. 09
2, 974. 18
112. 36
1,363.03
120. 98
2, 779. 90
6, 611. 82
1, 057. 46
1,586.87
2, 612. 28
2, 968. 25
851. 02
4, 136. 92
16.12
1,246.26
1,028.75
17.79
5,411.80
1, 599. 86
577. 39
965. 58
$309. 65
502. 13
1, 534. 91
5,262.43
126. 99
9.87
$391. 19
276. 87
286.11
Province of Albav
1,041.82
101.54
Province of Bataan
Province of Batangas
Province of Benguet
69.85
Province of Bohol
1, 710. 32
2, 483. 86
828. 78
493. 34
612. 21
1, 144. 83
54.62
2, 003. 34
159. 79
468. 35
1, 022. 11
159. 49
5,763.15
582. 26
1,580.24
194. 26
3, 037. 38
75.73
1,788.45
Province of Bulacan
434. 60
3,111.40
Province of Cavite
1, 012. 85
Province of Cebu
2, 385. 90
District Commander, Basilan
179. 69
Province of Iloilo
5, 095. 68
District Commander, Pollock
16.12
Province of Ilocos Sur
110. 62
Province of Ilocos Norte. . .
989.00
Province of Isabela
Province of La Union
11,844.05
Province of Lepanto-Bontoc
35.81
Province of Levte
28.82
Province of Laguna
318. 56
Philippine Constabulary, commissary
officer
Province of Masbate
545.42
Lieut. W. C. Hannum
99.69
7.98
2, 378. 43
7, 381. 27
88.00
356. 91
321. 64
1,945.43
Province of Marinduque
Province of Misamis
394. 91
8, 520. 07
168. 23
411. 99
672. 83
112. 05
1, 192. 21
Province of Mindoro
6, 508. 93
Province of Nueva Ecija
Province of Nueva Viscava
241. 71
Province of Occidental Negros. . .
164. 45
Lieut. W. A. Mitchell
1, 945. 43
Lieutenant Ryan
Lieutenant Rand
158. 53
591. 67
2, 494. 89
3, 245. 62
378.41
2, 812. 27
117. 23
5,449.05
2, 936. 05
30, 170. 28
9, 725. 89
5, 518. 39
127. 17
2, 129. 24
2.71
2.71
5.23
247. 60
1, 674. 32
768. 82
306. 09
669. 92
121 55
Province of Pangasinan
166. 16
Province of Pampanga
54.91
Province of Romblon
79.20
Province of Rizal
1, 309. 86
Province of Surigao
Province of Samar
344. 57
32. 10
5, 183. 07
1,383.63
1, 941. 46
132. 05
708. 61
Lieut, C. O. Sherill
2, 936. 05
7,174 09
Province of Tarlac
1, 593. 50
1 702 31
74 04
Province of Paragua
375. 98
Postmaster, Cebu
1.42
1.42
1.42
52.03
258. 50
Postmaster, San Isidro
Postmaster, Calbavog
Capt. J. B. Barnes
203. 59
550.00
Capt. D. H. Boughton
KEPOKT OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION.
Ill
Statement of provincial sales and indebtedness for the year ending September 30, 1903 — Con.
Sales.
Outstandings.
Name.
United States
currency.
Local cur-
rency.
United States
currency.
Local cur-
rency.
S3. 86
355. 85
274. 08
811. 88
652.38
33, 127. 68
22, 370. 24
253.00
1,894.88
683.77
1,875.29
30.12
70.47
35.75
2.50
1.42
1.42
Lieut. Earl C. Brown
82.75
136.44
875.29
5, 436. 68
8855.89
Ensrineer in charge Jolo pier
262. 66
965. 91
11.98
2.51
35.75
2.50
147. 11
Engineer in charge Iligan wharf
54.78
Engineer in charge Calbayog pier
11.98
Total
174, 149. 40
147, 742. 06
54,852.83
56, 813. 60
Statement of purchases paid for and bureau equipment and expense for the year ending
September 30, 1903.
Local
currency.
United States
currency.
Purchase of supplies:
Coal
8415, 006. 60
230, 147. 66
413, 208. 98
138,325.91
77, 108. 67
57, 130. 55
150, 709. 53
182,026.51
18, 798. 10
12, 808. 30
50, 621. 74
83, 749. 89
73, 007. 46
51,561.07
19, 370. 91
108, 416. 64
76,681.95
574, 674. 04
851, 733. 06
Lumber
20, 876. 13
Hardware
49, 433. 88
Office supples
19, 688. 53
Office furniture
12, 515. 09
Typewriters
4, 097. 50
2,725.78
18, 124. 24
Vehicles
1, 667. 41
3,540.13
Machinery
16, 098. 02
9, 914. 90
8, 190. 77
Cement and lime
Freight
3, 710. 79
Clothing and materials
1,798.53
7,020.74
3, 202. 42
33,313.10
2, 733, 354. 51
267, 651. 02
Purchase of rice:
Act 495
1, 806, 793. 33
237,481.51
1, 266. 38
153, 068. 77
181, 820. 82
Act 786
Act 797
2, 044, 274. 84
336, 155. 97
Purchase of carabao:
Act 797
41, 528. 43
Bureau equipment and expense:
Repairs to transportation
196. 57
35, 267. 00
3, 374. 92
Rent of offices, etc
7, 606. 52
Incidental
175. 58
38, 838. 49
7, 782. 10
Salaries and wages
286, 159. 02
42,142 88
Total disbursements
5, 102, 626. 86
695, 260. 40
112
REPORT OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION.
Statement of disbursements for the year ending September 30, 1903, showing to whom
(individuals or firms) payments have been made.
To whom paid.
United States
currency.
Local
currency.
Philippine
currency.
H. W. Peabody&Co
E. C. McCullough & Co
Frank L. Strong
A. S. Watson & Co
San Nicholas Iron Works
Manuel Earnshaw & Co
M. Garchitoreno
John T. Pickett
Bazar Velasco
Boie & Schadenberg
Erlanger & Galinger
A. Grossman
Manila Railway Co. (Limited) .
Standard Oil Co. of New York
American Drug Co
Pacific Oriental Trading Co
Insular Cold Storage and Ice Plant
Philippine Gaslight Co
Mariano Uy Chaco
Squires & Bingham
Warlomont Hos
Henry D. Woolfe
American Bazar .'.
Compafiia Maritima
Carmen & Co
Castle Bros., Wolf & Sons
Ynchausti & Co
Shewan, Tomes & Co
Holliday, Wise & Co
Philippine Lumber and Development Co
Frank S. Bourns
Civil Supply Store
R. V. R. Penelosa
American Hardware and Plumbing Co
Wm. Wesley & Sons
Philippine Transportation and Construction Co
Suca. de R. Bren
American Book and News Co
Cameron & Mclaughlin
Manila Navigation Co
Bilibid Prison '.
Zee Tai On
Stahl & Rumcke
H. S. Townsend
B. W. Cadwallader & Co
Pedro Blanc
W. T. Nolting
C. N. Ferricr
M. Fuster & Co
C. Fressel & Co
Macondry & Van Buskirk
Warner Barnes & Co
Mnreaida & Co
Luis R. Yangco
A. F. Allen
Macondray & Co
A. Roensch & Co
Caldcr & Co
Bazar Siglo XX
C. E. Lemunyon
Eastern Extension, Australasia and China Telegraph Co.
F. W. Home
A. Richt er & Co
American Commercial Co
Botica Santa Cruz
Jose Q. Ho
Michael, Gaspar, Grant Co
Viuda de Tan Auco
North American Trading Co
Smith Bell & Co .... .
Viuda y Sucesora de Zobel
Sociedad de los Telefonos de Manila
Suiliong & Co ,
A.J.Gies
Cull & Maddy
Hongkong and Shanghai Bank
M.A.Clarke
Quartermaster's Department, TJ. S. Army . . .
Pedro P. Roxas
Kwong Wah Hing & Co
California-Manila Lumber Commercial Co.
SI, 170. 40
$49, 199. 96
107, 949. 17
80,950.79
2, 177. 41
28, 462. 74
19, 802. 76
3, 639. 76
19,125.82
35,460.90
5, 623. 71
31,443.52
7, 436. 16
1,059.81
16,837.25
2, 007. 75
31,139.70
11, 378. 45
6. 350. 19
130, 790. 11
2, 823. 82
2,207.29
649. 96
1, 474. 25
38, 969. 62
681. 96
96, 651. 60
22,688.89
44, 408. 99
436,829.44
6, 216. 81
32, 726. 94
5,789.22
2. 727. 25
72, Oil. 72
1, 860. 69
37, 672. 41
228. 60
5, 744. 04
12, 512. 75
42, 955. 39
972. 38
12, 664. 18
8. 042. 26
289. 04
21,619.62
3,904.95
390. 93
281.00
2, 908. 95
2, 275. 00
727. 34
120, 098. 04
2, 978. 12
13, 743. 54
8,437.22
27, 454. 50
3, 494. 59
287, 177. 24
909. 93
911. 22
1, 629. 92
19,397.02
1, 277. 12
11, 720. 72
1, 744. 18
3. 182. 20
1,489.10
1, 513. 12
1, 050. 31
15, 968. 00
308.90
33.00
143,489.70
13, 622. 90
936. 73
587, 274. 81
4,491.02
45,574.42
17,308.04
182. 19
55, 653. 56
KEPORT OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION.
113
Statement of disbursements for the year ending September 30, 1903, etc. — Continued.
To ay horn. paid.
United States
currency.
Local
currency.
Philippine
currency.
Ralli Bros
$734, 237. 13
5,027.85
734. 00
191. 60
1,744.50
8, 813. 67
3, 890. 20
156. 50
201, 103. 68
3, 395. 55
900. 00
246. 09
305. 50
4, 193. 79
220. 46
171. 10
129. 29
6, 612. 10
1, 325. 00
551.44
401. 63
51.00
70.00
612. 00
1,338.75
3, 907. 84
5, 707. 50
1, 690. 00
85.00
6, 796. 40
1, 428. 00
891. 19
475. 00
1, 560. 00
30.88
28, 690. 92
857. 50
171. 50
5, 224. 06
267. 70
188. 90
1,326.00
1,-135.28
250. 00
14,003.00
588. 00
200. 00
147. 00
250. 00
17, 194. 69
675. 00
796. 25
1, 975. 00
2, 198. 95
1,537.30
187. 33
13,458.57
8,453.34
46.30
1, 627. 40
359. 32
86, 470. 01
633. 00
2, 262. 92
22. 00
366. 12
9, 192. 00
793. 99
203. 85
40.00
488.75
148. 23
245. 98
937. 07
2,273.14
18, 225. 15
16,816.48
116. 00
830. 49
30, 255. 27
643. 55
169. 68
Sv Chui Chin
$127. 87
528. 00
Ker & Co
Smith & Reed
50.00
A. J. Coffee Co
H S Jo;,es
S. D. Martinez
292. 82
F.M. Kendall
4, 769. 38
Rich & Rosenberg
12, 180. 00
J. R. Edgar
G. W. Hollis
J. C. Raymond
McLeod & Co
B. F. Tavlor
D. W. Rilev & Co
J. Kernan
H. R. Spencer
1,407.07
7, 385. 76
John Lysaught & Co
366. 00
S. W. Ferrv
J. C. Ryan
Helen M. Green
F. W.Nash
C. H. Lamb
Compania Nayier Mercantil Filipina
Tan Dico
C. A. Clark
E. W. MacDaniel
3, 910. 95
R. V. Dell
D. H. Ward
F. Moffatt
Dorr & Co
J. W. Grey
J. B. Thomas & Co
129. 73
G. Ocampo
3,377.05
J. Hoffmann
A. Siebrand Sigart
783. 07
187 32
H. S. Crocker & Co
Sunico y Hermanos
1, 398. 47
Electrical Construction Co
R. Ong Pin
603. 80
Martinez y Guzman
Mitsu Busan Kaisha
8, 960. 70
M. Barreto
E. Herbert
Chofre & Co
\ u Biao Sontua
Rieardo Flores
800. 00
M. Moreno
Hidalgo & Co
Gomez & Co
13.05
Gee Hi
78 26
M. C. Santiago
Si Giang
Kwong Ong Long & Co
C. Alkan
1, 690. 00
F. R. Button
800. 50
Union Truck Co
M. SDyestre
American Sheet and Metal Works
144. 88
German & Co
Compania General de Tabaco de Filipinas
Eastern Electric Co 1
WAR 1903 — TOT, 5-
114
KEPORT OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION.
Statement of disbursements for the year ending September 30, 1903, etc. — Continued.
To whom paid.
United States
currency.
Local
currency.
Philippine
currency.
S C Farnham Boyd & Co
$5, 397. 69
1, 981. 67
372. 50
268. 80
2, 193. 70
963. 00
176. 70
2, 306. 36
412. 10
12.60
15,323.96
2.00
2, 251. 00
6.00
40.00
4, 161. 96
70.13
409. 99
186. 25
754. 96
471. 10
539. 35
5,400.20
36.14
507. 36
61, 256. 00
76.80
13.00
3.00
518.70
682. 50
420. 00
6, 841. 90
200. 00
320. 00
2, 035. 73
48.00
3, 588. 67
223. 34
50.55
501. 79
82.20
196. 00
936. 00
14.00
4.30
105. 81
6.30
1,535.80
325. 00
165. 00
991. 67
220. 00
8.00
354.96
12.50
332. 84
160. 00
202. 00
87.30
615. 70
37.50
433. 31
50.00
241, 775. 00
1,202.65
4,321.45
10.42
280. 00
756. 38
1, 917. 50
4.00
638. 94
226. 16
15.60
650. 44
98.88
18.20
68.12
10.40
17, 627. 98
1, 095. 95
$41.58
280. 00
744. 00
40.00
1, 412. 54
125. 22
366. 46
C. K. Zorn
M. Tagawa & Co
W. W. Richards
F. 0. Roberts
380. 00
2, 543. 28
J. Geronimo
8.09
W. Ah ern & Co
D. Mann
Manila Sheet Metal Works
1, 117. 38
F. Gutierrez & Co
110. 33
M. K. N ewman & Co
10.00
United States Sail, Tent and Awning Co
E. Spitz
274. 20
P. Hernandez
D. Enfransia
Yick Fat
F. Burton
T. J. Wolf
J. Arrila .
J. Hewitt
J. P. Yutico
Yu Chui Co
Armstrong & Mackav
72.%
Dan Fingco
Viuda de E. Boca
F. Reyes
Talabarceria Progreso
M. Kraus
Go Angco
E. F. Ongcapin
J. R. Edgar Co
E. de Mercaida
2, 078. 43
D. Bodero
Lyon & Wolfson
A. Bryan
283. 62
J. R. Martin, U. S. N
C. Martin
L. S. Bliss
H. B. Matthews
F. A. Gantz
Z. K. Miller ,
Ballv Paper Mills Co
H. St. John Jackson
J. Vil Bouchewitch
A. W. Po ber ■
Juan Hing
KEPOKT OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION.
115
Statement of disbursements for the year ending September 30, 1903, etc. — Continued.
To whom paid.
United States
currency.
Local
currency.
Philippine
currency.
$3.28
45.80
2,302.73
4.20
8, 201. 36
15.80
818.06
451.41
117. 00
10.00
1, 353. 83
89,554.12
68.20
200. 00
2, 129. 95
650. 00
559. 39
200. 00
150. 00
2, 106. 00
65.00
520. 00
130. 00
300. 00
394.47
30.00
1,750.00
585. 00
600.00
200. 00
385. 00
2, 761. 75
333. 50
7.50
64.50
101. 40
5.00
5.00
6.60
2.40
200. 00
5. 578. 66
536. 18
60.00
830. 00
1, 923. 71
10,313.74
86.59
460. 17
1, 338. 50
34.43
754. 00
433.46
340.85
96.20
48.00
4,171.84
77.76
25.00
35.65
325.00
802.72
88.66
596.70
603. 08
300. 00
480.00
6, 494. 00
2.45
1. 193. 67
141. 30
692. 99
273. 13
45.00
37.77
288. 00
46.86
26.50
30.00
392. 50
250. 00
10.00
N W McAllen
$2, 498. 30
Findlav & Co
E. G. Shields
T Joseph
D Hardie
12.18
A Villan ..
W. G. Hagle
C. A. Kahlhaurn
L. Boehimer & Co
A. Luniere & ses Fils
Cox Seed Co
H. J. Andrews & Co
U. Gallino
J. A. Johnson
Chas. Esplin, jr
J. D. Coolev
1,002.18
E. Brammer
Moreno y Ca
M. Henry
U. Batanante
Yap Coa Fuion
Chartered Bank of India, Australia, and China
Janarmal Tejoomal & Co „•
Via Oluis
Sol Berliner
Kwong Hop Sang
If. Genato
P. Canuel
C. Aguino
116
EEPOET OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION.
Statement of disbursements for the year ending September SO, 1903, etc. — Continued.
To whom paid.
United States
currency.
Local
currency.
Philippine
currency.
H. Finkel
$399. 42
200. 00
250. 00
1, 858. 75
253. 11
1, 143. 34
324. 59
866. 89
850. 10
218. 65
2, 715. 55
10, 495. 03
199. 50
10, 578. 40
1.00
59.85
1, 732. 76
66.50
85.25
592. 00
34.00
212. 40
25.00
162. 00
62.50
88.00
80.00
955. 43
400. 00
106. 48
142. 65
183. 14
10.00
250. 00
469. 50
235. 56
6, 103. 23
135. 00
80.00
720. 20
6,046.91
117. 30
7.10
447. 30
3,887.75
15.00
188. 00
3, 508. 79
7, 719. 30
45.50
175. 00
200. 00
20.67
731. 07
5.00
49.00
375. 00
148. 87
69.83
450. 00
330. 00
2.40
1,232.58
120. 00
36.00
36.00
30.00
1, 040. 00
40.00
250. 00
980. 00
41.75
80.00
283. 53
4.20
140. 00
69.70
126. 72
15.00
180. 00
97.20
262. 80
2.40
G E Stechert
C E Helves..
$212. 60
498. 00
T T. Collins
690. 00
77, 488. 38
459. 80
A. Ortiz
S. Shigematsu
18, 766. 68
E. Thompson & Co. . „
W. G. Skidmore
E. W. Ladd
3,659.83
E. H. Hunter & Co
Bur. of Veirtas
D. Moranan
7.37
221.56
D. Salvacion
Miles Hyul
Allen G. Baker
A. G. Tracy
Primetico Mudina
J. Boardman, jr
J. Reyes
C. D. Rhodes
C. Hock
Yu Chuan
Mrs. W. F. Taf t
J. Sober
105. 50
A. H. Higley
R. Perez
Portifo & Co
R. Jaconson
F. Llanes
REPORT OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION.
117
Statement of disbursements for the year ending September 30, 1903, etc. — Continued.
To whom paid.
United States
currency.
Local
currency.
Philippine
currency.
E.H.Cole
$6.37
1, 654. 76
13.00
96.00
17.65
778. 05
38. 45
116.50
100. 00
20. 00
408. 00
446. 25
340. 00
652. 00
26. 00
12.00
15.00
263. 75
21.50
483. 50
56.25
18.00
143. 55
160. 00
280. 00
90.44
25.10
28.35
190. 00
132. 00
300. 00
333. 00
162. 04
5.00
29.84
122. 54
100. 00
122. 50
40.00
9.00
40.00
8.00
8.50
10.00
10.00
8.50
10.00
3.40
8.00
21.56
588. 00
49.00
50.00
9.75
6.75
21.00
3.00
110. 00
65.00
66.00
10.00
29.16
40.00
18. 38
176. 00
4.90
13.47
16.00
27.93
34.30
3.00
Oliver & Trill
81, 121. 00
Tan Tan
58.33
F R Miller
C Pedilo
P G Son
J T. Sebree
1,263.65
C. Heinszen & Co
570. 47
13.04
T. Codv
M. Montanes
T. E. Samson
Dv Sing Sia
T. Nenwtrth
J. F. Dostal
W. N. Swarthout '.
Dv Ang Co
M. de Castro
T. Clements
A. Rullo
R. Fidel
P. Trinidad & Co
La Democratica
J. N. Wolfson
60.00
30.00
D. Ty Angeo
Kelley & Wolf
Thacker, Spink & Co
10.43
Ong Laico '
C. B. Weltner
9.60
J. Wr Collins
American Optical Co
A. C. Monks
J. R. Calder Smith
48.00
Francisco Barrios
543. 40
36.00
H. Diralan
70.43
E. H. Behr
42.00
J. L. Barrett
i
6.09
1
86.47
1
284. 60
E. Chase
140. 00
E. de la Cruz '
100. 44
H. E. Deputv i
90.00
Donaldson, Sims & Co 1
8, 322. 36
528. 59
F. Fanlo '
315. 00
118
REPORT OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION,
Statement of disbursements for the year ending September 30, 1903 — Continued.
To whom paid.
United States
currency.
Local
currency.
Philippine
currency.
S. Farrell
$246. 00
900.00
5.00
F. E. Green
2,075.40
61.04
F. W. Greer . .
250. 0U
H. L. Heath ...
174. 78
4.21
E. T. Hitch
20.00
Lib. de R. Bren
93. 22
114. 78
P. Martel . .
22.46
150.00
Meyer, Wilson & Co
928. 88
332. 00
608. 70
F. Mountz
44.78
116. 09
42.00
C. W. O'Brien
1, 700. 00
Padern y Moreno & Co
1, 198. 87
33.38
T. E. Prendergast ,
106. 74
52.17
V. Perez
2.00
310.00
J. Porcuna '.
27.30
120.00
Santiago Hospital
869. 56
9.39
M. Sison
82.17
4, 563. 60
W. F. Stevenson & Co
64, 761. 80
B. F. Sturtevant Co
1, 447. 20
Jose Tan Sunco
11.30
7.50
Van Buskirk, Crook & Co
9.00
2.00
W. Watson & Sons
744.37
W. L. Whitcomb
2, 510. 90
H. F. Wilson
13.20
1, 538. 32
116. 10
Grant & Co
$41.04
7.00
G. Y. Taylor
Total
$1,170.40
4, 816, 472. 84
1,103,894.28
Exhibit C.
Disbursing officer's statement of famine relief fund, act 495, for the year ending
30, 1903.
[Local currency.]
1903.
Nov.
11
15
25
Dec.
10
10
23
Jan.
16
Feb.
28
Apr.
17
June 30
July 25
From whom received.
Treasurer, Philippine Islands:
WarrantNo. 2132
Warrant No. 2146
Warrant No. 2189
Warrant No. 2277
Warrant No. 2278
Warrant No. 2353
Ralli Bros., refund
Treasurer, Philippine Islands:
Warrant No. 2739
Warrant No. 3048
Warrant No. 3445
E. C. McCullough & Co., refund
Treasurer, Philippine Islands, warrant No. 3529.
Total receipts, all sources.
Rice.
Purchase, Ogtag.
Total.
$870,840.00
250, 000. 00
300, 000. 00
150, 000. 00
150, 000. 00
50, 000. 00
2.13
20, 000. 00
8,425.00
13, 625. 00
400.00
4,600.00
1,817,892.13
REPORT OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION.
ny
Disbursing officer's statement of famine relief fund, act 495, for the year ending September
30, 1903— Continued.
Rice.
Purchases.
Contingent
expenses.
Total.
Dec.
1903.
Nov. 14
14
26
26
30
30
30
30
30
2
2
4
5
5
10
10
10
10
10
11
16
17
IS
19
19
26
26
26
27
31
31
31
31
31
31
31
31
31
5
Jan.
Feb.
To whom paid.
Suiliong & Co., 21,000 piculs of rice
Suiliong & Co., 262 rice mats
E. F. Ongcapin, on account
Clarke & Co., 29,605.59 piculs of rice
E. E. A. &, C. Telegraph Co., sundry telegrams . . .
Leon F. Bliss, foreman
H. B. Matthews, foreman
Frank A. Gantz, foreman
Talmon K. Miller, foreman
C. Findlay, reimbursement for sundry telegrams.
Philippine Transportation and Construction Co.,
lighterage
Clarke & Co., on account
E. E. A. & C. Telegraph Co., sundry telegrams
N. W. Mc Allen, foreman
Ong Chunanco, 300 rice mats
Clarke & Co., balance on 45,312.96 piculs of rice . .
W. E. Sherman, lighterage
do
Philippine Transportation and Construction Co.,
lighterage
Hamilton King, consul fees and telegrams
Philippine Transportation and Construction Co.,
lighterage
Denis Freres, 29,131.35 piculs of rice — part
OngU. Co., 300 rice mats
E. F. Ongcapin, on account
Warner Barnes & Co. , freight for account of Denis
Freres
Ong U. Co., 600 rice mats
Ong TJ. Co., 300 rice mats
Pedro P. Roxas, rent of warehouse
Philippine Transportation and Construction Co.,
lighterage
Leon F. Bliss, foreman
W. S. Beebe, foreman
Antonio Villar, watchman
J. N. Neill, foreman
Pedro Ishmael, watchman
Z. K. Miller, foreman
Chin Jaine, candles
H. B. Matthews, foreman
T. Cobarrubias, rent of warehouse
E. Davies, foreman
Philippine Transportation and Construction Co.,
lighterage
Ralli Bros., 100,000 sacks rice
Philippine Transportation and Construction Co.,
lighterage
M. F. Ong Ongco, 300 rice sacks
H. D. Andrews & Co., rent of warehouse
Suiliong & Co., 600 rice sacks
E. Davies, foreman
L. F. Bliss, foreman
H. B. Matthews, foreman
Z. K. Miller, foreman
J. N. Neill, foreman
Philippine Transportation and Construction Co.,
freight
W. E. Sherman, lighterage
Sundry persons, labor
Do
Do
Treasurer, Philippine Islands, refund
E. F. Ongcapin, balance on 35,000 piculs of rice..
H. J. Andrews & Co., rent of warehouse
T. Cobarrubias, rent of warehouse
Philippine Transportation and Construction Co.,
lighterage
G. Schneegans, United States consul, Saigon, bal-
ance on account Denis Freres
E. C. McCullough & Co., rent of warehouse
Smith, Bell & Co. , demurrage
Holliday, Wise & Co., insurance
Chas. Yarneberg, freight
Pedro P. Roxas, rent of warehouse
Chee Kim Leong, loading rice
Chas. Yarneberg, freight
I Sundry persons, labor
8143, 220. 00
137,000.00
170, 232. 14
122, 572. 80
144, 316. 74
" 75," 666." 66'
7, 237. 94
734, 237. 13
28, 875. 00
18, 587. 50
$65. 50
284. 20
113. 10
15.60
15.60
89.70
45.80
3, 100. 00
294. 92
10.00
75.00
525. 00
829. 50
2,042.88
559. 39
2, 488. 40
75."6o"
150.00
75.00
5,016.75
3, 359. 58
382. 20
101.40
5.00
288.60
5.00
399.44
6.60
113. 10
450. 66
353.78
1,018.95
7,027.00
48.00
823. 34
165. 00
182.40
143. 64
97.46
161. 30
141.35
3,372.67
85.50
598.50
12.00
222. 50
1, 330. 00
1, 064. 00
5, 366. 70
573. 33
1, 428. 57
7, 680. 00
1,064.00
2, 566. 26
59.85
1,822.10
159.50
$143,220.00
65.50
137, 000. 00
170, 232. 14
284. 20
113. 10
15.60
15.60
89.70
45.80
3, 100. 00
122,572.80
294. 92
10.00
75.00
149,304.96
525.00
829.50
2,042.88
559. 39
2,488.40
144, 316. 74
75.00
75, 000. 00
7, 237. 94
150. 00
75.00
5, 016. 75
3, 359. 58
382. 20
101.40
5.00
288. 60
5.00
399. 44
6.60
113. 10
450.66
353. 78
1,018.95
734,237.13
7,027.00
48.00
823.34
165. 00
182. 40
143.64
97.46
161. 30
141.35
3, 372. 67
85.50
598. 50
12.00
222. 50
3,265.00
28, 875. 00
1, 330. 00
1,064.00
5, 366. 70
18, 587. 50
573. 33
1,428.57
7,680.00
1,064.00
2, 566. 26
59.85
1,822.10
159. 50
120
REPORT OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION.
Disbursing officer's statement of famine relief fund, act 495, for the year ending September
SO, 1903 — Continued.
Rice.
'•"'-' 'SSf
To whom paid — Continued,
Philippine Transportation and Construction Co.
lighterage
E. E. A. & C. Telegram Co., sundry telegrams . . .
E. C. McCullough & Co., rent of warehouse
Compania Maritima, charter steamship Heim..
Mariano Uy Chaco, sack twine and needles
Sundry persons, labor
H. J. Andrews & Co., rent of warehouse
E. F. Ongcapin, insurance and housing
Tan Tan, loading rice
W. E. Sherman, lighterage
T. Cobarrubias, rent of warehouse
Sundry persons, labor
Pedro P. Roxas, rent of warehouse
Henry Fleischer, checker on steamship Heim..
Sundry persons, labor, steamship Heim
Horace L. Higgins, freight
John Boardman, jr., freight
J. Reyes, hire of cascos
Ong Chuanco, 300 rice mats
Ynchausti & Co., towing steamship Kodiak
F. Danielson, loading rice
Manila Pilots' Association, pilotage
Manila Navigation Co., lighterage
Reider Jacobsen, services as checker
Fernando Llanes, services as checker
Nils Hyul, services as checker
Sundry persons, labor
T. Cobarrubias, rent of warehouse
H. J. Andrews & Co., rent of warehouse
Tan Tan, loading rice
do
Pedro P. Roxas, rent of warehouse
Manila Navigation Co., lighterage
Tan Tan, loading rice
Ong Chuanco, 200 rice mats
E. C. McCullough & Co., rent of warehouse
Tan Tan, loading rice
H. R. Spencer, freight
J. N. Neill, foreman
Sundry persons, labor
T. Cobarrubias, rent of warehouse
Smith Bell & Co. , hire of lorcha
Tan Tan, loading rice
Michael & Caspar, tow
Manila Navigation Co., lighterage
Chas. A. Clark, freight
Pedro P. Roxas, rent of warehouse
Calixto Garcia, labor
T. Clements, labor
Eduardo Bulos, labor
Alberto Rullo, labor
B. Maglabang, labor
Sundry persons, labor
Rafael Fidel, labor
E. C. McCullough & Co., rent of warehouse
T. Cobarrubias, rent of warehouse
Pedro P. Roxas, rent of warehouse
Endres Herbert, freight
Armstrong & McKay, freight
Frank S. Bourns, freight
E. C. McCullough & Co., rent of warehouse
Manila Navigation Co., freight
F. Danielson, lighterage
Sundry persons, labor
do
do
J. W. Collins, foreman
Lizarraga Hermanos, freight
E. E. A. & C. Telegraph Co., sundry telegrams. .
Treasurer, Philippine Islands, refund
Compania Maritima, freight
Pedro P. Roxas, rent of warehouse
Total
Balance on hand, Sept. 30
$1, 713, 855. 46
$432. 00
34.47
400. 00
4, 950. 00
4.65
128. 50
1,330.00
250. 00
132.40
192. 80
1,064.00
111.00
2, 508. 38
4.00
11.25
402. 27
1,232.58
12.00
75.00
48.45
65.00
74.82
115. 05
3.00
2.40
6.00
187. 50
1, 020. 00
510. 00
184. 80
20.00
2, 460. 14
44.60
113. 65
50.00
800. 00
101. 30
891. 19
53.55
30.00
1,000.00
250. 00
129. 90
30.00
903. 56
1,135.28
2,363.66
7.00
8.50
10.00
10.00
8.50
29.00
10.00
400. 00
980. 00
4, 363. 66
1, 155. 18
249. 38
925. 75
661. 25
75.00
42.00
192. 00
889. 35
18.38
78.00
5.15
2, 370. 18
312. 50
95, 220. 55
1,815,974.81
1,917.32
1, 817, 892. 13
REPORT OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION.
121
Statement of famine rice, Act 495, sold by the insular purchasing agent (to be accounted for
by him ) , for the year ending September 30, 1903.
[Local currency.]
Date.
To whom sold.
Unit.
Quantity
Price
per
unit.
Amount.
Collected.
Balance.
1903.
Jan. 7
30
Feb. 21
Mar. 23
Apr.
13
May 11
15
June 2
2
Aug. 2
18
18
Apr. 30
Jose Q. Ho
Z. F. Tinco
Philippines Con-
stabulary.
....do
Armstrong & Mac-
kay.
E. F. Ongcapin
McLeod & Co
Florente Ternate.
Smith Bell &Co...
TySue
Chau Bundo
do
....do
F. S. Bourns
Tu Teco
E. F. Ongcapin —
Co. Jico
McLeod & Co
do
Compania General
de Tabacos de
Filipinas.
Chan Bundo
Frank S. Bourns..
M. Linyap
Frank's. Bourns. .
Philippines Con-
stabulary.
do
do
Frank S. Bourns..
do
Florente Ternate .
A.S.Reich
Frank S. Bourns..
Chan Bundo
Maraqumafire suf-
ferers.
I. P. A. stock
do
Sacks, damaged . .
do
Pounds
....do
Sacks .
Piculs
....do
Sacks
....do
do
Piculs, sweepings .
Sacks, Calcutta . . .
Piculs, Saigon
Piculs
Piculs, sweepings .
Piculs
....do
do
Sacks
Piculs
do
do
do
Piculs, Calcutta..
Pounds, Siam
do
do
Piculs, Calcutta...
....do
Lot of sweepings..
Piculs, sweepings.
Piculs, Calcutta...
Piculs
do
Piculs, white
Sacks
1,941
695
100, 800
161, 280
5,700
12,469
10, 039^
500
500
1,500
782. 12
190
137. 63
8,128
71.52
15, 000. 305
6,370§£
12, 177
10
17, 034. 31
65.38
25,310.25
1,000
23, 053. 83
107,520
196, 224
27, 776
12,230.11
23, 562. 4
1
6, 791. 57
785.84
182. 10
3,134.25
44|
$3.70
5.60
.045
.045
6.00
6.20
6.375
6.00
6.00
6.00
5.50
6.00
6.50
5.00
6.70
6.375
6.375
6.375
6.00
6.375
7.06
5.00
6.00
5.00
.0475
.0475
.0475
5.00
5.00
5.00
(a)
6.75
6.50
6.00
$7, 181. 70
3,892.00
4,536.00
7,257.
34, 200. 00
77, 307. 80
64, 000. 46
3, 000. 00
3, 000. 00
9,000.00
4, 301. 66
1, 140. 00
894. 60
40, 640. 00
479. 19
95, 626. 94
40, 614. 66
77, 633. 09
60.00
108, 593. 73
460. 93
126, 551. 25
6, 000. 00
115, 269. 40
5,107.20
9, 320. 64
1, 219. 36
61, 150. 55
117, 812. 00
595. 56
66.61
33, 957. 85
2, 794. 22
1,229.17
20, 372. 62
266. 00
$7, 181. 70
3,892.00
4, 536. 00
7,257.60
34, 200. 00
77, 307. 80
64, 000. 46
3, 000. 00
3,000.00
9, 000. 00
4, 301. 66
1, 140. 00
894. 60
40,640.00
479. 19
90,000.00
38,000.00
77, 633. 09
60.00
106, 000. 00
460. 93
126, 551. 25
6,000.00
115, 269. 40
$5, 620. 94
2, 614. 66
,73
5, 107. 20
9, 320. 64
1,219.36
61,150.55
117, 812. 00
595. 56
66.61
33, 957. 85
2,794.22
1,229.17
Total
1,085,532.79
1, 037, 182. 47
a Auction sale.
122 REPORT OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION.
Exhibit D.
Statement of famine rice, Act 495, transferred to provinces for the year
September SO, 1903.
[Local currency.]
To whom transferred.
Quantity. Price
Value.
Mar.
1902.
Dec. 20
24
19
11
1903.
Jan. 30
22
22
22
Feb. 14
20
20
21
1
4
5
6
23
23
23
Apr. 2
3
23
28
May 1
4
8
7
16
18
21
21
June 26
Treasurer, Sorsogon
Do
Treasurer, Mindoro
Supervisor, Oriental Negros. .
Do
Governor, Tayabas
Do
Do
Captain Boughton, Batangas
Supervisor, Oriental Negros. .
Captain Boughton, Batangas
Treasurer, Sorsogon
Treasurer, Zambales
Captain Boughton, Batangas
Supervisor, Oriental Negros .
Governor, Samar
C. O. Salamague
Treasurer, Sorsogon
Supervisor, La Union
Supervisor, Oriental Negros..
Do
Treasurer, Sorsogon
Supervisor, Oriental Negros .
Treasurer, Tayabas
Supervisor, Oriental Negros..
Supervisor, Abra
Treasurer, Occidental Negros
Supervisor, La Union
Treasurer, Sorsogon
Governor, Tayabas
Do
Supervisor, Cebu
Total
Piculs.
819. 85
7, 768. 93
660. 80
1,803.67
531. 00
413. 65
450. 00
020. 11
157. 02
555. 55
000. 00
813.87
505. 03
005. 53
092. 70
299. 99
251. 38
108.36
621.82
546.26
243. 63
676. 36
265. 80
432. 72
687. 35
202. 73
303. 35
249. 46
621. 82
486. 54
676. 36
$6.50
6.50
7.00
6.50
6.50
6.50
6.50
6.50
6.10
6.50
6.10
6.50
7.00
6.45
6.75
6.75
6.75
6.75
6.50
6.75
6.75
6.75
7.00
7.00
7.00
6.75
6.75
6.50
7.00
7.00
7.65
7.00
$5, 329. 03
50, 498. 05
4, 625. 60
11, 723. 86
16,451.50
13, 688. 73
2, 925. 00
13, 130. 72
13, 157. 82
16, 611. 07
6, 100. 00
5,290.16
3,535.21
6,485.67
20, 875. 72
15, 524. 93
1,696.81
14,231.43
10,541.83
17,187.25
21,894.50
38,315.43
23, 000. 60
17,029.04
18,811.45
1, 368. 43
35, 797. 61
14, 621. 49
11,352.74
3, 405. 78
43, 424. 15
3,478.51
71, 788. 57
482,110.12
REPORT OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION.
123
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REPORT OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION.
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REPORT OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION.
Exhibit E.
125
Statement of rice distribution under provisions of Acts 786 and 797, Congressional relief
fund, for the year ending September 30, 1903.
[Local currency.]
To whom transferred.
Piculs.
Price.
Value.
Governor, Benguet
Supervisor:
Occidental Negros
Union
Samar
Bulacan
Oriental Negros
Capiz
Bulacan
Capiz
Pampanga
Tayabas
Tavabas
Iloilo
Mindoro
Antique
Cavite
Sorsogon
Cebu
Tayabas
Batangas
Ilocos Norte
Abra
Tayabas
Ilocos Sur
Ilocos Norte
Misarnis
Batangas
Batangas
Masbate
Oriental Negros
Pangasinan
Nueva Ecija
Batangas
Ambos Camarines
Occidental Negros
Zambales
Ilocos Norte
Benguet road
Government farm, Zamboanga
Supervisor:
Cavite
Capiz
Mindoro
Lepanto-Bontoc
Union
Ilocos Norte
Ilocos Sur
Tarlac
Tayabas
Tayabas
Tarlac
Zambales
Surigao
Abra
Ilocos Norte
Misarnis
Occidental Negros
Iloilo
Antique
Capiz
Laguna
Cavite
Cebu
Total
494. 30
, 943. 75
988. 75
,997.94
,997.94
,996.91
, 198. 76
, 996. 91
799. 18
,994.78
,497.43
,497.43
, 994. 85
998. 97
500. 66
, 973. 53
, 999. 95
,480.97
501. 84
,000.00
, 000. 00
,000.00
500. 00
, 000. 00
700. 00
500. 00
, 000. 00
,000.00
, 000. 00
,000.00
100. 00
,000.00
, 000. 00
, 000. 00
, 000. 00
400. 00
109. 75
70.31
, 000. 00
000. 00
000. 00
000. 00
110. 00
000. 00
000. 00
000. 00
988. 35
983. 10
981. 25
979. 56
559. 50
33.70
987. 00
467. 50
988. 75
978. 65
491. 66
746. 90
991. 91
313. 60
991. 77
965. 68
$6.50
6.75
6.60
6.85
6.50
6.85
6.90
6.50
6.90
6.60
6.75
6.75
6.75
6.75
6.75
6.50
6.75
6.75
6.90
6.75'
6.85
6.85
6.90
6. 8225
6. 8225
7.10
6.75
6.75
6.75
6.85
6.75
6.58
6.75
7.00
6.75
7.10
6.50
6.50
7.10
6.65
6.90
6.75
6.70
6.75
6.85
6.85
6.70
8.00
7.50
7.50
7.40
7.40
7.60
7.60
7.85
7.50
7.50
7.50
7.25
7.50
7.50
7.45
$3, 212. 95
33. 370. 31
6,416.87
13, 685. 89
12, 9S6. 61
20,528.83
8,271.44
19, 479. 91
5,514.34
32, 935. 55
16,857.65
16. 857. 65
33, 715. 24
6,743.05
3, 379. 45
12,827.94
26. 999. 66
30, 246. 54
3,462.70
6, 750. 00
13,700.00
6,850.00
3,450.00
6, 822. 50
4, 775. 75
3, 550. 00
6, 750. 00
13, 500. 00
6, 750. 00
27, 400. 00
675.00
6,580.00
13,500.00
7,000.00
27,000.00
2,840.00
715.17
457.02
7, 100. 00
6, 550. 00
6, 900. 00
13, 500. 00
737.00
6, 750. 00
6,850.00
6, 850. 00
6, 621. 94
7,864.80
7, 349. 37
22,346.70
11,540.30
249. 38
7, 501. 20
18, 753. 00
23, 461. 69
29, 839. 87
18,687.45
5, 601. 75
7, 191. 35
2,352.00
7,438.28
36. 994. 32
105, 793. 79
735,618.42
126
REPORT OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION.
Exhibit F.
Statement of distribution of corrugated iron under the provisions of Acts 786 and 797, Con-
gressional relief fund, for the year ending September 30, 1903.
1903.
Aug. 19
19
19
27
27
27
27
27
27
27
Sept. 8
To whom issued.
Supervisor:
Ilocos Sur
Cavite
Batangas
Occidental Negros.
Pampanga
Tayabas
Oriental Negros . . .
Pangasinan
Nueva Ecija
Zambales
Tayabas
Capiz
Bataan
Union
Abra
Northern Viscaya .
Cagayan
Samar
Tayabas
Iloilo
Antique
Bulacan
Cagayan
Total 258,326
Quantity
Pounds.
12,387.5
3,233
6,825
48, 385
16, 800
3, 412. 5
11, 375
3,233
28,000
2,800
3, 412. 5
11,850
2,600
10, 750
11,200
14,000
2,150
8,750
3, 412. 5
32,250
10,750
10,750
10,750
Price.
$0. 034
.0322
.034
.0337
.0332
.0332
.0342
.0332
.0332
.0362
.0332
.092
.083
.083
.083
.085
.085
.0762
.0353
.083
.083
.083
.043
Value.
United
States
currency.
$421. 18
104. 10
232. 05
L, 630. 57
557. 76
113. 29
389.02
107. 33
929. 60
101. 36
113. 30
120. 46
462. 25
5, 282. 27
Local
currency.
81,090.20
215.80
892.25
929.60
1,190.00
182. 75
182.75
2, 676. 75
892.25
892.25
9,628.60
EXHIBIT C.
REPORT OF THE INSTJLAR PURCHASING AGENT AS TO CARABAO
TO NOVEMBER 20, 1903.
Office of the Insular Purchasing Agent
for the Philippine Islands,
Manila, P. I. , August 13, 1903.
Sir: I have the honor to report that under Act No. 828 and under resolution of
the Philippine Commission under date of August 7 I have sold the following described
carabao :
MALVINO DE JESUS, AGRICULTURIST, GUAGUA, PAMPANGA.
Sex.
C. G. No.
Shippers'
No.
Approxi-
mate age.
Transfer
certifi-
cate No.
Value.
96
97
384
334
Years.
7
7
1
2
$100.00
Do
100. 00
RICARDO VELEZ CORRALES, AGRICULTURIST, GUAGUA, PAMPANGA.
Male...
Do.
Do.
Do.
Female
Do.
Do.
Male...
Female
Male...
Do.
Female
Male...
Female
Male...
Female
74
367
7
3
81
98
9
4
90
296
7
5
99
375
6
6
100
368
9
7
101
103
10
8
116
336
8
9
126
43
8
10
127
266
7
11
132
56
8
12
133
361
8
13
134
218
8
14
136
341
9
15
141
183
7
16
142
338
8
17
146
381
10
18
$70.00
70.00
70.00
70.00
70.00
70.00
70.00
70.00
70.00
70.00
70.00
70.00
70.00
70.00
70.00
70.00
JOSE DE JESUS, AGRICULTURIST, POROC, PAMPANGA.
Male...
Do.
Do.
Do.
Female
137
78
145
188
168
285
352
566
580
$70. 00
70.00
70.00
70.00
70.00
FRANCISCO DE GUITERRES, AGRICULTURIST, POROC, PAMPANGA.
Male...
Do.
Female
Male...
150
(«)
8
24
162
609
8
25
164
574
6
26
163
(a)
8
27
a Lost.
$70.00
70.00
70.00
70.00
127
128 JREPOBT OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION.
The above sales were for cash, the first two at $100 being selected by the buyer,
and the balance being taken as turned out by this bureau. Transfer certificates have
been issued in each case, and will be accounted for to the auditor.
In selling the above carabao I find that purchasers prefer a large percentage of
females, and would recommend that, if possible, the contractor send at least 50 per
cent females.
Very respectfully, M. L. Stewart,
Assistant Insular Purchasing Agent.
Chairman of Committee on Sale op Carabao,
Manila, P. I.
(Through executive secretary. )
General statement carabao, November 20, 1903.
Shanghai
currency.
Purchased under old contract 649, at $75 $48,675
Dying at Shanghai after inoculation, old contract. 435, at $40 17, 400
Purchased under new contract 721, at $79 56, 979
Total 1,805 123,054
Actually received and accepted 1 , 370
Total amount paid 123,054
Which amounted to, at time of payment, at the current rate of exchange, $118,805.45,
Philippine currency.
Disposition:
By transfer —
Rizal Province 105
Bataan Province 230
Laguna Province 51
Occidental Negros 20
Zamboanga 33
441
By sale 91
23, at $100 $2,300
68, at $70 , 7,060
9,360
Dead, after acceptance 429
On hand:
Santa Mesa _• 370
Pasay 29
399
In charge Lack & Davis 7
Missing 3
1, 370
EXHIBIT D.
STATEMENT SHOWING ACTUAL EXPENDITURES UNDER THE
CONGRESSIONAL RELIEF FUND.
The Government op the Philippine Islands,
Office of the Auditor,
Manila, December 1, 1903.
Sir: In compliance with your verbal request of recent date, I have the honor to
submit herewith a special report covering operations under the Congressional relief
fund to this date since the same was made available to the insular government.
The original appropriation by Congress was of the sum of $3,000,000, United States
currency, entered on the books of the auditor as 5*6,000,000.
The first appropriation made from this relief fund was by Act No. 738 of the sum
of 1*200,000, or §100,000 United States currency, "for the preliminary expenses of
the insular purchasing agent and other agents of the insular government in visiting
the ports and countries where draft cattle may be purchased, in paying the purchase
price of same, in chartering the necessary transportation for their importation into
the Philippine Islands, and for all other expenses incident to their purchase and
delivery in the Philippine Islands. ' ' This appropriation was fully withdrawn April
27, 1903, by warrant No. 3060, payable to the insular purchasing agent. The sum of
5*196,239. 02 was recently repaid to the insular treasury, leaving the net withdrawals
but 5*3,760.98 which substantially represents the expense of the acting insular pur-
chasing agent while in China making the preliminary contracts as contemplated.
By Act 750 of the Commission, an appropriation of an indefinite sum was made
to reimburse the insular purchasing agent for food supplies and tents issued under
authority of the Commission for the relief of the inhabitants of the town of Mariquina
who were rendered homeless by a fire in that town on April 26, 1903. The insular
purchasing agent's claim for reimbursement under this act has not been settled.
The next appropriation from the Congressional relief fund was of the equivalent of
5*500,000, by Act No. 786, "for expenditure in the purchase of rice for the purpose
of securing to the inhabitants of the Philippine Islands opportunity to purchase rice
at reasonable rates and for the purpose of distributing rice gratuitously to those peo-
ple who are suffering from lack of food and unable to pay for the same." This act
provided that the purchase of rice should be made by the insular purchasing agent
in such manner and quantities and at such prices and times as the civil governor
might direct, and the law further provided that the rice should be distributed in such
localities as the civil governor might direct or applied to payment for work on roads
or other public improvements, in addition to gratuitous distribution to starving peo-
ple upon the order of the civil governor. Act No. 786 was amended by Act No. 814,
and in order to carry out the provisions of Act No. 786, as amended by Act No. 814,
executive order No. 64 was issued, as follows:
Executive Order, ^ The Government of the Philippine Islands,
>■ Executive "Bureau,
No. 64. J Manila, July 31, 1903.
The following regulations will govern the sale and distribution of rice furnished
under the appropriation by Congress for the relief of the people of the Philippine
Islands:
Before rice is furnished to any province its provincial board will submit to the
civil governor an estimate of the quantity of rice which can be used to advantage
in a given period and a statement of the conditions in the province which make the
distribution of rice desirable.
All rice furnished by the civil government will be consigned to the supervisor or
the supervisor-treasurer of the province to which it is shipped. At the time of ship-
ment the insular purchasing agent will forward to the insular auditor a copy of the
notice of shipment, together with a statement of the price at which the rice is to be
WAK 1903— VOL 5 9 129
130 REPORT OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION.
sold, which shall include cost of transportation and handling, but shall exclude duty,
if any. The expense of storing and subsequent handling of the rice shall be at the
expense of the province, except when the civil governor shall order otherwise.
All rice shall be receipted for to the insular purchasing agent by the supervisor or
supervisor-treasurer to whom consigned, and shall be taken up by the latter officer,
who shall be accountable on his official bond for the same, and render accounts there-
for to the insular auditor as hereinafter provided.
Where the rice is used for public works a full report of its issue and distribution
shall be made to the civil governor, in addition to the account which is required by
the auditor, with a definite statement of the public improvement upon which it has
been used the number of days of labor, and the amount of material secured.
No rice 'shall be distributed gratuitously, except in limited quantities, to deserving
persons unable to work, and upon the recommendation and order of the provincial
board, approved by the civil governor, to whom will be made a statement of the
peculiar circumstances calling for such action.
In cases where rice is sold, the proceeds of the sales will be deposited in the pro-
vincial treasury. The money so received shall be placed to the credit of a " Con-
gressional relief fund," and thereafter may be disbursed as other funds on the order
of the provincial board, for public works, and accounted for in the usual manner to
the auditor, full report thereon being made to the civil governor.
The accounts of the supervisor or supervisor-treasurer to the insular auditor will
be rendered on a regular property return, auditor's Form 700, monthly instead of
quarterly, supported as follows :
(a) In the case of direct sales, by proper abstracts, showing date of sale, name of
purchaser, quantity sold, with price and total amount received. This abstract should
be certified as correct by the person in charge of the sales and by the supervisor, and
be accompanied by the receipt of the provincial treasurer for the amount deposited
in the provincial treasury.
Sales to commercial firms will not be allowed except upon advance approval of the
civil governor.
(6) In the case of the issue of rice in payment of labor performed, the regular
labor pay roll, provincial Form 57, will be used, modified so as to show in the col-
umns marked "Rate of pay" and "Amount paid," certain fixed units of measure in
rice instead of money. The certificates at the bottom of the roll should also be
modified by substituting the words "issue" and "issued," respectively, for "pay-
ment" and "paid." The money value of the rice so issued in payment for labor
will be computed and stated on the pay roll, and the amount represented by such
money value of such pay rolls will be taken up by the provincial treasurer in his
revenue account as receipts from rice sales and placed to the credit of the aforesaid
"Congressional relief fund." Credit will be taken for the same amount as a dis-
bursement for labor on public works, the voucher being the pay rolls rece:ved from
the supervisor or supervisor-treasurer. The latter officer will drop the rice so dis-
posed of on his returns, supporting the same by the receipt of the provincial treas-
urer for the amount represented by the pay rolls, and taken up by the latter, as in
the case of sales made in the regular way.
(c) In case of gratuitous distribution ordered by the provincial board and approved
by the civil governor the same abstract will be used as in the case of sales, modified
to show gratuitous distribution instead of sale, certified as correct by the officer
making the distribution, which distribution will be witnessed by two disinterested,
reputable citizens, whose certificate that they were present and witnessed the issue
must appear on the abstract.
In order to facilitate the operation of this order throughout the province, the pro-
vincial supervisor or the supervisor-treasurer shall have power to designate in writing
any municipal officer as his deputy for the purpose of this issue, who shall serve
without additional compensation.
Wm, H. Taft, Civil Governor.
Withdrawals have been made to date from the funds appropriated by act No. 786,
as follows:
June 10, warrant No. 3344 f*200,000
July 22, warrant No. 3530 200,000
Sept. 22, warrant No. 3877 100,000
Total 500,000
A repayment of 1*6,137.54 was made to this appropriation and again withdrawn,
leaving the net withdrawals at the full amount appropriated.
REPORT OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION. 131
It is not practicable at this time to state the actual expenditures under these
various subappropriations, but the same will be submitted at the earliest practicable
date.
Act No. 795 appropriated from the Congressional relief fund the sum of 1*3,000 for
certain contingent expenses of the Government laboratories for reimbursement to
that bureau for expense incurred in immunizing and caring for draft animals, and
this appropriation was withdrawn July 11, 1903, by warrant No. 3471, in the sum of
!P3,000. There has been repaid to this appropriation the sum of n, 853. 87, leaving
the net withdrawals for the purpose named !P1,146.13.
Act No. 797 made an appropriation from the Congressional relief fund of $500,000,
equivalent to !P1,000,000, "for expenditure, under the direction of the civil governor,
for such purposes and in such manner as might from time to time be authorized by
resolutions of the Philippine Commission and in carrying out the intent of the Con-
gress of the United States in appropriating the fund aforesaid." The withdrawals
under these resolutions are of such recent date that accounts of the expenditures
made have not been rendered with sufficient completeness to permit of any state-
ment at this time of the actual disbursements thereunder.
July 22, 1903, by warrant No. 3528, the sum of 1*30,000 was withdrawn pursuant
to the following resolution of the Philippine Commission, dated July 10:
"On motion,
"Resolved, That the insular purchasing agent be, and he is hereby, authorized and
directed to provide transportation for all carabaos to be sold in the provinces and to
make requisition for the expenses of such transportation in accordance with act num-
bered seven hundred and ninety-seven, these expenses of transportation to include
also the lighterage of cattle from ships in Manila Bay, or wherever the ships bring-
ing the cattle from foreign countries are anchored, to the shore; and also the expenses
of the maintenance of the cattle, including the rent of suitable places for yarding the
same pending their transportation to the provinces where they are to be sold; and
also the expenses of branding the cattle with the Government brand, the same to
bear consecutive numbers and series; and
"Be it further resolved, That the insular purchasing agent be, and he is hereby,
directed to keep a careful and separate account of the cattle purchased and of the
expenses connected with the purchase, distribution, care, and sale of the cattle and
of the proceeds received therefrom; and
"Be it further resolved, That a copy of these resolutions be forwarded to the insular
purchasing agent. ' '
On July 25, by warrant No. 1539, the sum of !P50,000 was withdrawn pursuant
to the following "resolution of the Philippine Commission, dated July 23:
' ' Whereas one hundred thousand dollars in Mexican currency was collected by
forced contributions to the insurgents during the insurrection from the inhabitants
of the province of Albay at a time prior to American occupation of that province; and
"Whereas there is much evidence to show that this one hundred thousand dol-
lars was embraced in a draft which was subsequently seized by the United States
Government, and the proceeds of the draft turned into the insular treasury; and
' j Whereas the conditions in the province of Albay are such as to require the insti-
tution of public works with a view to furnishing labor to the people thereof; and
' ' Whereas, although the facts enumerated above do not form the basis of any legal
claim for the return of the money referred to from the insular treasury to the people
of the province of Albay, the circumstances nevertheless present an equitable basis
for action in the discretion of the Commission in this regard in view of the present
needs of the province;
"Now, therefore, be it resolved, That under act No. 797 the civil governor is
hereby authorized to direct the. auditor to draw a warrant on the insular treasury in
favor of the provincial treasurer of Albay for the sum of twenty-five thousand dollars
United States currency, the same to be deposited in the provincial treasury of Albay
and to be disbursed upon the order of the provincial board of Albay for public
improvements in such a manner as to furnish labor to the people of the province
who shall be in necessitous circumstances; the disbursement of the funds to be made
by the provincial treasurer in accordance with law, subject to the same accounting
to the auditor as provided for the disbursement of other provincial funds. The
provincial treasurer is also required to make a full report of the expenditure of this
fund to the civil governor to enable the civil governor, as required by the act of
Congress, to report to Congress the disposition of the money. The provincial board
of Albay is authorized to purchase rice with this fund and to use the rice in pay-
ment of labor in so far as it may be wise. The provincial board of Albay may also
authorize in limited quantities the use of the rice purchased to relieve the wants of
the indigent poor unable to earn money by labor, but the amount thus expended can
132 EEPOET OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION.
only be expended by approval of the provincial board, concurred in by the civil
governor. ' '
Only July 30, by warrant No. 3609, the sum of 1*10,000 was withdrawn pursuant
to the following resolution of the Philippine Commission, dated July 27:
"Whereas, the employment of additional veterinarians and inoculators by the
board of health for the Philippine Islands for the purpose of combating the spread
of disease among draft cattle in the islands is considered by the Commission to be a
proper charge against the three million dollar relief fund voted by the Congress of
the United States;
"Now, therefore, be it resolved, That the civil governor is hereby authorized to
expend from the fund of five hundred thousand dollars, appropriated' from the three
million dollar relief fund by act No. 797, and made available for expenditure under
the direction of the civil governor, upon authorization by the Commission, the sum
of twenty-nine thousand one hundred and forty dollars United States currency, for
the payment of the following expenses:
' ' Salaries and wages, board of health for the Philippine Islands, nineteen hundred
and four; one supervisor of inoculating veterinarians and of inoculators, at eighteen
hundred dollars per annum; nine veterinarians, class seven, twenty inoculators,
class A, seventeen thousand one hundred dollars;
"For the payment of services and expenses of interpreters in provinces to aid
inoculators etc., one thousand dollars;
"Transportation, board of health for the Philippine Islands, nineteen hundred
and four, for the actual and necessary traveling expenses, including subsistence, of
the veterinarians and inoculators while on duty in the provinces, eleven thousand
and forty dollars."
On August 20, by warrant No. 3716, the sum of 3*200,000 was withdrawn pursuant
to the following resolution of the Commission, dated September 24:
"On motion,
' ' Resolved, That the civil governor is hereby authorized to direct an expenditure
from the funds appropriated under act No. 797 of the sum of one hundred thousand
dollars United States currency, in the purchase of rice and the pajmient of trans-
portation and other charges incident to its distribution among the inhabitants of the
Philippine Islands for the purpose of relieving famine and distress therein, said funds
having been withdrawn from the insular treasury by accountable warrant No. 3716,
issued upon the insular purchasing agent's requisition, dated August 12, 1903."
On August 27, by warrant No. 3778, the sum of 5*2,000 was withdrawn pursuant
to the following resolution of the Commission, dated August 18:
"On motion,
11 Resolved, That the civil governor is hereby authorized to expend from the fund of
five hundred thousand dollars appropriated "from the three million dollar Congres-
sional relief fund by act No. 797, and made available for expenditure under his direc-
tion, upon authorization by the Commission, the sum of one hundred thousand dol-
lars United States currency, to be used for the following purposes:
"For the payment of an assistant foreman, at $3.50 United States currency, per
day, whose employment by the insular purchasing agent for the purpose of superin-
tending, under his direction, the sale and care of carabaos purchased by the insular
government, is hereby authorized;
' ' For the payment of transportation expenses of employees of the insular purchasing
agent, engaged in the sale or care of carabaos in an amount not to exceed twenty-
five dollars United States currency, per month; and
' ' For the purchase of carabao carts and yokes to be used in connection with the
care of carabaos in charge of the insular purchasing agent; and
"Beit further resolved, That Commissioner Luzuriaga, chairman of the committee
on the purchase and sale of carabaos be, and he is hereby, authorized to extend the
contract entered into by the insular purchasing agent with the firm of Lack & Davis
for the care and feeding of carabaos loelonging to the insular government as he may
deem wise."
On August 31, by warrant No. 3805, the sum of 5*2,000 was withdrawn pursuant to
the following resolution of the Commission, dated August 29:
"On motion,
"Resolved, That the civil governor is hereby authorized to expend from the fund
of five hundred thousand dollars, appropriated from the three million dollar Con-
gressional relief fund by act No. 797, and made available for expenditure under his
direction, upon the authorization of the Commission, the sum of two thousand dol-
lars Philippine currency, to be used for the purpose of paying the charges of trans-
portation on five hundred piculs of rice from San Fernando in the province of La
Union, to Baguio in the province of Benguet, which rice is to be used for the feeding
EEPOET OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION. 133
of laborers engaged in public improvements, and for other purposes, as directed by
the civil governor."
On September 11, 1903, by warrant No. 3834, the sum of 1*49,033.88 was withdrawn
pursuant to the following resolution of the Commission, dated September 7:
' ' On motion,
"Resolved, That the civil governor be, and he is hereby, authorized to expend from
the appropriation of five hundred thousand dollars, made by act No. 797 from the
Congressional relief fund and made available for expenditure in his discretion, upon
authorization by resolution of the Commission, the sum of $24,516.94 in money of
the United States, to be devoted to the payment of drafts against the insular purchas-
ing agent on account of carabaos purchased by the insular goverment under the con-
tract Vith Messrs. Keylock & Pratt, of Shanghai, in such amount."
On September 24, by warrant No. 3920, the sum of 1*364.34 was withdrawn, pur-
suant to the following resolutions of the Commission, dated July 30 and August 5,
respectively :
"Resolved, That the expenses of the trip of the superintendent of the government
laboratories to Shanghai and return should properly be paid out of the fund of five
hundred thousand dollars, appropriated from the three million dollars Congressional
relief fund by act No. 797, and made available for expenditure under the direction
of the civil governor upon authorization of the Commission, and that authorization
for this action by the civil governor be hereby conveyed."
On motion,
' ' Resolved, That the civil governor be, and he is hereby, authorized to pay, from
the appropriation of five hundred thousand dollars, made by act No. 797, from the
Congressional relief fund, a sum equivalent, at the authorized rate of exchange, to
$130.81, Mexican currency, to pay the expenses of transportation on one hundred
and twenty-five sacks of rice furnished to the provincial government of Abra for the
relief of the inhabitants of that province."
On September 28, by warrant No. 3939, the sum of 1*18,961.90 was withdrawn,
pursuant to the following resolution of the Commission, dated September 24, 1903:
1 ' The chairman of the committee oh the purchase and sale of carabao presented
to the Commission correspondence, under dates of September 23 and September 24,
1903, Executive Bureau File No. 30, 275- All, between the committee and the insular
purchasing agent, in regard to payment for carabao purchased by the insular gov-
ernment from Messrs. Keylock & Pratt, of Shanghai, China. It appearing from
the communication of the insular purchasing agent that there is now due Messrs.
Keylock & Pratt the sum of $4,200, Shanghai currency, for 56 carabao, under the
old contract, at $75 each; $13,825 for 175 carabao, delivered under the new contract,
at S79 each; and $1,360 for 34 carabao, which died under immunization, and for
which the government is obliged to pay, under the old contract, the sum of $40
each, making a total of $19,385, Shanghai currency; and it appearing that the sum of
818,461.90 in Philippines currency is the equivalent on this date of $19,385 in
Shanghai currency, the whole amount reported due to Messrs. Keylock & Pratt:
" Now therefore be it resolved, That the civil governor is hereby authorized to direct
the expenditure of $18,461.90, Philippines currency, by the insular purchasing agent,
from the fund of five hundred thousand dollars appropriated from the three-million-
dollar Congressional relief fund by act No. 797, and made available for expenditure
under his direction upon authorization of the Commission for the payment of the
above account of Messrs. Keylock & Pratt: Provided, That this authorization of the
insular purchasing agent to pay this amount is with the reservation of the right of
the government to exact from Messrs. Keylock & Pratt an adjustment of claims
existing in favor of the government against them for prior deliveries, as per their
telegrams and letters."
On October 24, by warrant No. 4047, the sum of 1*12,000 was withdrawn, pursuant
to the following resolutions of the Commission, dated July 27 and September 9,
respectively:
(Resolution of July 27, authorizing employment of additional veterinarians, etc.,
is quoted above under warrant No. 3609. )
"Whereas the civil governor did, on August 8, 1903, in conformity with an informal
agreement with the Commission, advise the provincial governors of all provinces that
a daily allowance of five Philippine pesos for traveling expenses would be made to
the agricultural members of the locust boards authorized by act No. 817, while said
members were engaged in the work of the boards and away from their usual places
of residence, such days to be certified by the provincial governors: Therefore,
"Be U resolved, That the action of the civil governor, as above set forth, be, and the
same is hereby, confirmed by the Commission, and that the civfl governor is hereby
authorized to pay the traveling expenses above referred to out of the appropriation
134 REPORT OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION.
of five hundred thousand dollars made by act No. 797 from the Congressional
relief fund, which is available for expenditure by him upon authorization of the
Commission."
On October 26, by warrant No. 4058, the sum of P\L77, 717.50 was withdrawn, pur-
suant to the following resolution of the Commission, dated October 22:
" On motion it was resolved, That the civil governor is hereby authorized to direct
an expenditure, from the funds appropriated under act 797, of the sum of $88,858.75,
United States currency, in payment of 29,521.18 piculs of Saigon No. 2 rice purchased
from Castle Brothers, Wolf & Sons at IP6.02 per picul, such rice being required for
the purpose of relieving famine and distress within the Philippine Islands."
On October 27, by warrant No. 4059, the sum of !P19, 144.53 was withdrawn, pur-
suant to the following resolution of the Commission, dated October 23:
On motion,
"Resolved, That the civil governor is hereby authorized to direct an expenditure
from the funds appropriated under act No. 797 of the sum of nine thousand five
hundred and seventy-two dollars and twenty-seven cents, United States currency,
in payment of two hundred and forty-nine head of carabao, purchased from Messrs.
Keylock & Pratt for distribution and sale within the Archipelago, to relieve distress
therein."
The following resolutions of the Commission were passed under the dates indi-
cated, the expenditures thereunder authorized being made proper charges against
the Congressional relief fund. The accounts arising under these resolutions have not
yet been rendered to the auditor with sufficient completeness to enable definite state-
ment at this time of the actual expenditures made:
The following resolution was passed July 31, 1903:
"On motion it teas resolved, That the civil governor be, and is hereby, authorized
to employ Benito Laureano, the person recommended by Commissioner Luzuriaga,
at a salary of one hundred dollars, United States currency, per month, who shall
visit Shanghai, China, and there, under the supervision of Veterinarian Slee, now
on duty at Shanghai, inspect the carabaos presented for fulfillment of the con-
tract of Messrs. Keylock & Pratt, and that Mr. Laureano be allowed his actual pas-
sage expenses, first class, from Manila to Shanghai and return, and three dollars,
United States currency, per day for his subsistence and all other expenses while in
Shanghai; all of the money expended under this resolution to be charged to the
fund of five hundred thousand dollars appropriated from the three million dollar
Congressional relief fund by act No. 797, and made available for expenditure under
the direction of the civil governor, upon authorization by the Commission; and
"Be it further resolved, That a copy of this resolution be sent to the auditor and to
the disbursing officer of the executive bureau, and that the disbursing officer of the
executive bureau be, and is hereby, authorized to advance to Mr. Laureano a suffi-
cient sum with which to purchase his passage and to meet the expenses of his trip,
not to exceed one hundred and fifty dollars, United States currency, which sum shall
be accounted for as provided by law."
The following resolution was passed August 3, 1903:
"On motion,
" Resolved, That the civil governor be, and is hereby, authorized to expend from
the sum of five hundred thousand dollars, appropriated by act No. 797 from the
Congressional relief fund, to be expended by the civil governor upon authorization
of the Commission, the sum of seven hundred and fifty dollars, United States cur-
rency, for the purpose of combating the locust pest in the province of Abra."
The following resolution was passed September 7, 1903:
"On motion,
"Resolved, That the civil governor be authorized to place at the disposal of the
committee on the purchase and sale of carabaos the sum of ten thousand dollars in
money of the United States, to be expended out of the appropriation of five hundred
thousand dollars made by act No. 797 out of the Congressional relief fund, and made
available for expenditure by the civil governor, upon authorization by the Commission,
said sum to be expended as may seem wise to the committee, in the construction of
shelters, corrals, and other means for the custody, care, and support, pending their
sale, of carabaos, owned by the insular government."
The following resolution was passed September 23, 1903:
"It appearing to the Commission that a sum of mony is required immediately for
the construction of a suitable shelter, on the hacienda of Senor Lopez, near Orani,
Bataan, for employees engaged in the care of carabaos, purchased by the insular
government; for the construction of corrals in which to keep carabao purchased by
the government, during the night time and while they are being inoculated; for the
REPOET OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION. 135
payment of the necessary labor to be employed for the herding and care of carabaos;
for the necessary contingent expenses arising from the care of said carabaos in the
province of Bataan, near the municipality of Orani:" Now, therefore,
"Be it resolved, That the civil governor is hereby authorized to expend from the
appropriation made by act No. 797, out of the Congressional relief fund, the sum of
five hundred dollars, United States currency, to be expended for the purposes here-
inbefore mentioned; and
"Be it further resolved, That these funds be withdrawn upon requisition in favor of
the disbursing officer of the insular purchasing agent, as provided by section 2 of
act No. 797, and transfer of the same directed to the provincial supervisor-treasurer
of Bataan, who is authorized to expend such moneys for the purpose above set forth,
upon vouchers to be approved by the provincial board of that province."
The following resolution was passed September 25, 1903:
" On motion,
"Resolved, That the civil governor be, and is hereby, authorized to direct the
insular purchasing agent to purchase five hundred shovels and five hundred
crowbars and to forward the same to the supervisor of the province of Kizal for
use in the suppression of locusts and in road work; and that the provincial supervisor
shall take up such property upon his property accounts as in cases of other property
of the province, and be accountable for the same according to law; and
"Be it further resolved, That the civil governor be, and is hereby, authorized to pay
for such supplies from the funds appropriated by act No. 797 from the Congressional
relief fund."
The following resolution was passed October 1, 1903:
"On motion,
"Resolved, Thatthe action of the insular purchasing agent in chartering the schooner
Kodiac at thirty dollars, United States currency, per day, for a period not to exceed
six months, to be used in the transportation of carabao, rice, coal, and other govern-
ment property, between ports of the archipelago, for the purpose of relieving dis-
tress among the inhabitants thereof, be, and is hereby, approved by the Commission;
and
" Be it further resolved, Thatthe civil governor be, and is hereby, authorized to
expend from the funds appropriated by act No. 797, out of the Congressional relief
fund, a sum not exceeding five thousand five hundred dollars, United States currency,
for the payment of the charter fee of the said schooner, during such period as the
same may be in use by the insular purchasing agent."
The following resolution was passed October 1, 1903:
"On motion,
"Resolved, That the insular purchasing agent be, and is hereby, authorized to
make a contract with the agent of the owners of the Santa Mesa estate for the rental
of a tract of land for the pasturage of carabao, at the rate of seventy-five centavos,
Philippines currency, per month per head; and he is further authorized to incur the
necessary expense of employing men to guard the carabao and of erecting the neces-
sary shelter for the men and the necessary corrals for the cattle for use at night; and
the civil governor is hereby authorized to direct the payment of a sufficient sum to
meet the expenditures authorized by this resolution out of the appropriation of five
hundred thousand dollars, made by act No. 797, from the Congressional relief fund."
The following resolution was passed October 26, 1903 :
"On motion of Commissioner Smith,
"Resolved, That the carabao of the insular government, purchased from the Con-
gressional relief fund, be placed in charge of Mr. A. J. Washburn, manager of the
Culion stock farm, whose duty it shall be to make all provision for their pasturage,
care, feed, and interisland shipment under the direction o£ 1;he insular purchasing
agent; that Mr. Washburn shall have authority to employ the necessary labor to
enable him properly to perform the duties thus imposed, payment for same to be
made by the insular purchasing agent on his certificate as to the time labor was
employed; that the insular purchasing agent is hereby authorized to assign to Mr.
Washburn one saddle horse and equipment therefor, to be used by him in the per-
formance of his duties under this resolution, and if necessary to purchase such horse
and equipment for this purpose; and that the salary of Mr. Washburn, now paid out
of the appropriation for the bureau of agriculture, as well as the funds necessary to
carry out the provisions of this resolution, be paid by the insular purchasing agent, on
approval of the committee on purchase and sale of carabao out of the ten thousand
dollars set aside by resolution of the Commission, dated September 1, 1903, from the
three million dollar Congressional relief fund for the custody, care, and support of
government carabao, pending their sale."
136 REPORT OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION.
The following resolution was passed November 21, 1903:
"On motion,
"Resolved, That the civil governor be, and he is hereby, authorized to pay from
the appropriation of five hundred thousand dollars, made by act No. 797, from the
Congressional relief fund, a sum equivalent, at the authorized rate of exchange, to
$692.41, Mexican currency, for the expenses of transportation from the ship's side
into the province of Abra, and storage en route of one thousand sacks of rice furnished
to the provincial government of Abra for the subsistence of the inhabitants of that
province while engaged in the destruction of locusts."
Under these resolutions a total sum of ¥=571,222.15 has been withdrawn from the
treasury, and repayment has been made amounting to 1*7,060, leaving net withdrawals
amounting to 1*564,162.15, and balance to the credit of the subappropriation on the
books of the auditor of 1*435,337.85.
On June 30, 1903, the sum of $1,000, United States currency, equivalent to 1*2,000,
was appropriated by act No. 793 as a loan to the province of Batangas, "to be used
by the provincial board as it might deem wise in aid of the municipality of Batangas
to meet the emergency presented by a fire destroying its market and rendering
homeless a large number of its people." This sum wTas withdrawn August 8, on
settlement warrant No. 1652.
Under date of October 2, 1903, by act No. 918, the Commission appropriated the
sum of $25,000, United States currency, equivalent to 1*50,000, from the Con-
gressional relief fund, for the purpose of constructing a wagon road from Pasacao to
Nueva Caceres, in the province of Ambos Camarines, the said appropriation to be
expended for labor and material in money or in rice, as the civil governor might
direct. The sum of 1*10,000 was withdrawn by warrant No. 4116, November 13.
Under date of October 3, by act No. 920, the sum of $84,000, United States cur-
rency, equivalent to 1*168,000, was appropriated from the Congressional relief fund
for the purpose of constructing roads and necessary bridges thereon as follows:
For a road from Vigan to Bangued, in the provinces of Ilocos Sur and Abra,
1*80,000.
For the construction of a road from Bacon to Bulasan, connecting the Pacific
Ocean and China Sea, via Sorsogon, Gubat, and Barcelona, in the province of Sorso-
gon, 1*80,000.
For the Padre Juan Villaverde trail, Bayombong to San Nicolas, provinces of
Nueva Vizcaya and Pangasinan, 1*8,000.
From these appropriations the sum of 1*4,000 was withdrawn, under date of Octo-
ber 28, by warrant No. 4072, for one-half of the sum appropriated for the Villaverde
trail. The sum of !P10,000 was withdrawn November 20, by warrant No. 4140, for
the Vigan-Bangued road, and PIS, 000 was withdrawn for the Bacon-Bulasan road,
by warrant No. 4166, November 24.
On October 8 the following resolution was passed by the Commission for the
improvement of the Pancipit River, Batangas Province:
"On motion,
' '■Resolved, That the consulting engineer be directed to prepare, as soon as possible,
detailed plans, and to draw up the specifications and contract for the construction
of locks, dams, bridges, embankment dredging, and other works involved in the
improvement of the Pancipit River, and, upon the completion of this work, to
advertise the same in accordance with the provisions of Act No. 584, section 6, for
at least thirty days; and, upon opening bids for this work, that the consulting
engineer be further directed to draft and submit an act or resolution providing for
the necessary -appropriation from the Congressional relief fund, for the prosecution
of the work, before contracts for the same are entered into. ' '
This resolution contemplates an expenditure of approximately 1*370,000, but, as
indicated by the resolution, no appropriation thereunder has as yet been made.
Under date of November 7, by warrant No. 4094, the sum of 1*200,000 was with-
drawn pursuant to the following resolution of the Philippine Commission, dated
November 6:
"On motion,
"Resolved, That the civil governor is hereby authorized to direct an expenditure,
from the funds appropriated from the Congressional relief fund by Act No. 797, of
the sum of one hundred thousand dollars, United States currency, in the purchase
of rice and the payment of transportation and other charges incident to its distribu-
tion among the inhabitants of the Philippine Islands for the purpose of relieving
famine and distress therein."
On November 27, by warrant No. 4200, the sum of 1*2,093.16 was withdrawn under
resolutions of July 30 and September 8, respectively, already quoted.
EEPOET OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION. 137
Under date of November 20, by Act No. 1000, the sum of P=234,000, equivalent to
$117,000, United States currency, was appropriated from the Congressional relief
fund for the purpose of constructing roads and bridges in the province of Cebu, as
follows: For the Carcal-Barili road, P=56,000; for the Sogod-Putad road, P=178,000.
No withdrawals have as yet been made from this appropriation.
Under date of November 27, the Commission passed the following resolution:
' ' Upon motion of the president, it was
" Resolved, That the sum of two thousand seven hundred dollars. United States cur-
rency, should be expended from the appropriation made by Act 797, from the Con-
gressional relief fund, in the purchase of a well-boring machine for use in the province
of Ambos Camarines to secure good water for the people of that province."
No withdrawal has been made as yet under this resolution.
Under date of November 30, by Act No. 1015, the sum of $87,000, United States
currency, equivalent to 1*174,000, was appropriated from the Congressional relief
fund, for the purpose of constructing a wagon road from Pagbilao to Atimonan, in the
province of Tayabas. No withdrawals have as yet been made under this appropriation.
Under date of November 30, by Act No. 1016, the sum of $180,000, equivalent to
1*360,000, was appropriated from the Congressional relief fund for the purpose of
constructing the Capiz-O'Donnell-Iba wagon road in the province of Tarlac and
Zambales. No withdrawals have as yet been made.
It therefore appears that of the total sum of 1*6,000,000 appropriated by Congress,
the sum of 1*2, 691, 000 has been appropriated or allotted by the Philippine Commission
for the purposes herein named, and that net withdrawals from such allotments have
been made amounting to 1*1, 312, 162.42, leaving a balance to the credit of the allot-
ments amounting to PI, 378,837. 58. There was in the Treasury on December 1, to
the credit of the Congressional relief fund, a balance unappropriated of T 3, 309, 000,
and a balance of the original fund in the Treasury, allotted and unallotted, amounting
to ^4,687,837.58.
I submit herewith a tabulated statement comprehending the figures above given.
Kespectfully,
A. L. Lawshe, Auditor.
The Civil Governor.
138
KEPORT OP THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION.
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EXHIBIT E.
[No. 781.]
AN ACT amending act numbered one hundred and seventy-five, entitled "An act providing for the
organization of an insular constabulary and for the inspection of the municipal police," and acts
numbered six hundred and ten, six hundred and eighteen, and six hundred and nineteen, amenda-
tory thereof.
By authority of the United States, be it enacted by the Philippine Commission, that:
Section 1. The civil governor, or the provincial governor with the approval of the
civil governor, is hereby authorized, whenever in his judgment the public interest
will be subserved thereby, to place the municipal police of the respective municipali-
ties of any province under the control of the senior inspector of constabulary on duty
in the province at the time. The senior inspector in such case is hereby authorized
and empowered, under the general supervision of the provincial governor, to con-
trol and direct the movements of the municipal police and, with the approval of the
provincial governor, to discharge any member of the police force and substitute a fit
and suitable resident of the municipality in his place. It shall be the duty of the
senior inspector when thus placed in charge of the municipal police of a province to
see that they are properly uniformed, drilled, and disciplined. When thus vested
with authority over the municipal police he shall see that all lawful orders of the
provincial governor, municipal president, and others in authority are executed as
provided by the municipal code and amendments thereof, and shall further see that
all proper arrests are made for violations of law or municipal ordinances, and in case
of emergencies is authorized, under the general supervision of the provincial gov-
ernor, to unite the forces of the various municipalities of the province in suppressing
ladronism or brigandage or other grave violations of the law which threaten the
peace of the entire community; and he may also unite the constabulary forces under
his command with the municipal forces in the execution of his authority for this
purpose.
Sec 2. It is hereby made the duty of the provincial board of each and every
province to prescribe a suitable uniform for the municipal police of each and every
municipality, with a proper insignia to indicate the municipality to which the police
belong. Authority is also hereby given the provincial board of each province to fix
the number of police which is required to be maintained by each and every munici-
pality of the province. In the event that the provincial board shall find that any
municipality is unable properly to uniform and maintain the number of policemen
fixed by the provincial board, the latter is authorized to vote necessary aid for the
maintenance of such police out of provincial funds. In the event the provincial
board should not have provincial funds adequate for this purpose it niay apply to the
Commission for aid in this behalf.
Sec 3. Whenever the chief of Philippines Constabulary shall report to the civil
governor that in any province the efficiency of the constabulary of the province is
being interfered with by frivolous arrests and unfounded prosecutions leading to the
imprisonment of members of the constabulary and their unnecessary detention from
duty, it shall be in the power of the civil governor, if he finds the report to be well
founded, by executive order to make the following section numbered four applicable
to the method of arrests in such province instead of the ordinary method of arrests
now in force. But until the civil governor shall issue such executive order the section
following shall have no force and effect, and it shall cease to have effect as may be
provided in said order.
Sec 4. When in respect to any province the civil governor shall issue the
executive order described in the next preceding section, and any officer or member
of the Philippine Constabulary shall in such province be charged with the violation
of any criminal law or ordinance and a warrant is issued for the arrest of the alleged
offender, such warrant shall be placed in the hands of a constabulary officer on
140
REPORT OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION. 141
duty ir the province for execution; and it shall be the duty of said officer to arrest
such person and bring him before the justice of the peace or officer issuing such
warrant, to be dealt with as the law directs. No officer or member of the police of a
municipality in such province shall have authority to arrest an officer or member of
the constabulary upon any criminal charge, save for a criminal offense committed
in. his presence, and when such offense is committed in his presence it shall be the
duty of the municipal officer making the arrest to deliver the prisoner to the nearest
constabulary officer on duty in the province with a statement of the cause of the
arrest of the offender and the names of the witnesses to the offense; and it shall be
the duty of the constabulary officer receiving the prisoner, as soon as practicable, to
bring him before a justice of the peace, or the court of first instance of the province,
to be dealt with as the law directs. In case the justice of the peace shall bind over
any officer or member of the constabulary to answer a criminal charge and the
defendant fails to give bail, when the offense is bailable, the defendant shall be
delivered to the custody of the senior inspector of constabulary on duty in the prov-
ince for safe-keeping; and it shall be the duty of the inspector to safely guard and
keep the prisoner and produce him before the court of first instance, as required by
law, to be dealt with as the law directs; and such prisoner shall be committed to the
provincial jail by the inspector, if necessary for safe custody.
Sec. 5. It shall be the duty of all municipal officers, as soon as practicable, to give
notice to the provincial governor, or inspector of constabulary in the province, of
the presence of any bands of ladrones or brigands or other persons threatening the
peace of the community within their jurisdiction, or any act of robbery or theft by
such bands, when the offenders are at large; and any violation of the provisions of
this section shall be punished by a fine not exceeding one thousand dollars and
imprisonment not exceeding two years.
Sec. 6. In provinces which are infested to such an extent with ladrones or outlaws
that the lives and property of residents in the outlying barrios are rendered wholly
insecure by continued predatory raids, and such outlying barrios thus furnish to
the ladrones or outlaws their sources of food supply, and it is not possible with
the available police forces constantly to provide protection to such barrios, it
shall be within the power of the civil governor, upon resolution of the Philip-
pine Commission, to authorize the provincial governor to order that the residents
of such outlying barrios be temporarily brought within stated proximity to the
poblacion or larger barrios of the municipality, there to remain until the necessity
for such order ceases to exist, and during such temporary residence it shall be the
duty of the provincial board, out of provincial funds, to furnish such sustenance and
shelter as may be needed to prevent suffering among the residents of the barrios
thus withdrawn, and in case the provincial funds are not adequate for such purpose
application may be made to the Commission for an appropriation to meet the
exigency.
Sec. 7. Act Numbered Six hundred and eighteen is hereby amended by inserting
immediately after section one the following:
"Sec. 2. The pay of an assistant chief and lieutenant-colonel, not an army officer,
shall be not less than two thousand seven hundred and fifty dollars and not exceed-
ing three thousand five hundred dollars per annum, the amount to be fixed, within
the limitations above mentioned, by the civil governor. The grade of major and
senior inspector is hereby created, at a salary of two thousand dollars per annum.
The chief of Philippines Constabulary is hereby authorized and empowered to select
from the most meritorious of the captains and senior inspectors of constabulary, not
exceeding four in number, officers of this grade. The chief of Philippines Constabu-
lary is further authorized and empowered to increase the pay of ten of the most
meritorious and deserving captains and senior inspectors of constabulary from the
amount now fixed by law to a sum not exceeding one tnousand eight hundred
dollars per annum, and he is further authorized to increase the pay of a like number
of first lieutenants and inspectors of constabulary to an amount not exceeding one
thousand two hundred dollars per annum: Provided, however, That the total number
ot constabulary officers as now provided by law shall not be increased."
Said act is further amended by changing section two to be section three and
section three to be section four.
Sec 8. The public good requiring the speedy enactment of this bill, the passage
of the same is hereby expedited in accordance with section two of "An act prescrib-
ing the order of procedure by the Commission in the enactment of laws," passed
September twenty-sixth, nineteen hundred.
Sec 9. This act shall take effect on its passage.
Enacted, June 1, 1903.
EXHIBIT F.
TESTIMONY TAKEN AT MALACNAN PALACE FEBRUARY 16, 1903,
RELATIVE TO THE VALUE OF LANDS OWNED BY THE RELI-
GIOUS ORDERS.
The first witness called was Senor JUAN VILLEGAS, who testified as follows:
Governor Taft. What is your name and age?
Senor Villegas. My name is Juan Yillegas, and I am 47 years old.
Governor Taft. What is your profession?
Senor Villegas. I was an assistant in the department of public works, both local
and general, during the Spanish regime.
Governor Taft. Did that involve any knowledge of surveying?
Senor Villegas. Yes, sir; I am a graduate in that profession.
Governor Taft. Have you any local familiarity with any of these estates, especially
the Imus estate?
Senor Villegas. Yes, sir.
Governor Taft. Did you while in the employ of the government as established in
the Philippine Islands make a survey of the Imus estate?
Senor Villegas. Yes, sir.
Governor Taft. Did you make this yourself, personally?
Senor Villegas. Yes, sir.
Governor Taft. Did you make this map here?
Senor Villegas. Yes, sir.
Governor Taft. What were you directed to do?
Senor Villegas. My orders were to survey the entire two estates of San Juan and
San Nicolas.
Governor Taft. Had you any duty as to valuation?
Senor Villegas. Yes, sir. During the time of the Spanish Government I had made
some valuations and I was also ordered by Mr. Legarda to make the valuation of this
estate.
Goverror Taft. Did the making of valuations come within your profession?
Senor Villegas. During the time of the Spanish Government I made some valua-
tions of private properties, but up to the present time I have not made any valuations
of haciendas or estates.
Governor Taft. What do you mean by private properties?
Senor Villegas. I mean the property belonging to private persons and not to
corporations.
Governor Taft. Agricultural or business property?
Senor Villegas. City property.
Governor Taft. Have you ever made any valuations of agricultural property?
Senor Villegas. Yes, sir.
Governor Taft. How did you get your valuations if you had never had any experi-
ence before?
Senor Villegas. It was because I had studied both agriculture and topography at
the University of Santo Tomas. My brother during the time of the Spanish Govern-
ment gave me a great deal of practical work in the shape of surveying and of judging
the value of land.
Governor Taft. Agricultural land?
Senor Villegas. My experience of agricultural land has been with the estate of San
Francisco de Malabon and with the estate of Malita. I have been nearly two years
in the former place and also a length of time in the second place, and my work as a
surveyor and going over this land has given me a knowledge of its valuation.
Governor Taft. Did you prepare a valuation of this land?
Senor Villegas. Yes, sir.
142 .
REPOET OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION. 143
Archbishop Guidi. Did you make this valuation through your own proper knowl-
edge of the facts?
Senor Villegas. Yes, sir; I made conscientiously, and through my love for the
government.
Archbishop Guidi. How is it, if you have testified that you do not know the pres-
ent value of the lands, that you are able to make, in view of this assertion, a valu-
ation of the land now? You have declared in your testimony that you do not know
the present actual value of this land. How is it possible for you to have made out a
valuation of this land in view of your assertion?
Senor Villegas. The valuation has been made according to my knowledge of the
value of the lands before the land assessment was placed.
Archbishop Guidi. But the fact remains that you do not know the present actual
value of the lands?
Senor Villegas. I do not know the actual present value of the lands because the
valuation has been made since the assessment of the land tax.
Governor Taft. When was that placed?
Senor Villegas. I believe in the month of July or September — somewhere around
that neighborhood — of last year.
Archbishop Guidi. Do you know if, since the imposition of the land tax, the
value of the land has increased, or has decreased?
Senor Villegas. In parts of Luzon it has decreased and in parts it has increased.
The decrease is owing to the loss of cattle, while other lands have increased because
of the fact that they work at them.
Archbishop Guidi. That, however, is simply incidental. Is it not true that with
the return of plenty of draft cattle the value of the lands will go up?
Governor Taft. I want to ask when he made the valuation of this land?
Senor Villegas. If I remember correctly, it was either during the month of
December, 1901, or in the month of January of 1902.
Governor Taft. When you made that valuation, did you make the valuation as
of that time?
Senor Villegas. Yes, sir.
Archbishop Guidi. I repeat my first question to you, and I ask you what value
did you give to the dollar when you placed the value on these lands?
Senor Villegas. I gave it the same value as the current local value of the peso.
Governor Taft. Two to one?
Senor Villegas. The value is given at its local current value at par with gold.
Governor Taft. What was the current value at that time?
Senor Villegas. Eight reales silver.
Governor Taft. Do you mean the current value of the peso in December of 1901,
and January, 1902 ?
Senor Villegas. Yes, sir; that is what I mean.
Governor Taft. Do you remember what it was, how many pesos were worth a
gold dollar?
Senor Villegas. They were at par at that time.
Governor Taft. What do you mean by par?
Senor Villegas. That they were not subject to an exchange, not as they are now,
at 2.66.
Governor Taft. What was it if it was not 2.66?
Senor Villegas. Equal in value to the Spanish dollar.
Governor Taft. In January of last year?
Senor Villegas. Either in "December of 1901, or January, 1902; yes, sir.
Governor Taft. Do you mean that you could get a gold dollar for a Mexican peso?
Is that what you mean?
Senor Villegas. The peso at that time was not subject to discount as the Mexican
peso is to-day. As I understand it, the Mexican peso is worth 64 cents to-day, but at
that time it was worth 100 cents.
Governor Taft. He evidently does not understand us. This was in December of
1901, wasn't it?
Senor Villegas. I started the survey on the 23d of December, 1901, and continued
it until it was finished in the month of January, 1902.
Governor Taft. You have made this assessment in Mexican dollars, haven't you?
Senor Villegas. Yes, sir.
Governor Taft. If you wished to state that, instead of in Mexican dollars, in
American dollars, at the time you made this survey, would you estimate it at the
same amount in American dollars that you have in Mexican dollars, or not? At the
time that you made this survey how many Mexican dollars could you get for an
American dollar, gold?
144 REPORT OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION.
Seiior Villegas. Two dollars American.
Governor Taft. If you were to estimate this in American dollars— for instance,
you have an estimate here of 150 dollars Mexican a hectare of first-class land — how
many dollars would that be in American at the time the assessment was made?
Sehor Villegas. I would value it in proportion to the difference in value between
the silver and the gold.
Governor Taft. What was the difference between silver and gold?
Seiior Villegas. Nothing, only that $1 gold was worth $2 Mexican.
Archbishop Guidi. The witness has contradicted himself repeatedly, for he has
repeatedly said from the beginning that his idea of the Mexican dollar as made in
this assessment was, that it was equivalent to a Spanish peso or duro of 8 reals, and
that the Spanish peso or duro of 8 reals was equivalent to a gold dollar. Afterwards
there was a small change of 5 cents or something like that. It is not for us to find
out what the actual difference was between the two moneys, but what was the value
of it in the mind of the man who made the assessment at that time.
Governor Taft. It seems to me that the witness and his excellency have misunder-
stood each other. I have never, that I recollect, had any conversation with this wit-
ness on this subject at all. The witness says that he estimated this at the time when
Mexican and gold were at par. For as much as two years Mexican and gold were at
par in the sense that one was worth twice the other; and as I have understood the
witness that is what he meant when he said that they were at par, and that his esti-
mate in Mexican is, as he said, at the current rate of exchange at par, which was par
and not one to two or 2.66.
Mr. McCregor. If he had been asked what the value of this land was in 1884 or
1885, would he have put the sum in Mexican dollars as he has to-day?
Seiior Villegas. When I made this valuation I took into consideration the actual
value of the land at that time.
Mr. McGregor. Then you would not have put the same value on it in 1884 or 1885?
Seiior Villegas. No, I would not.
Mr. McGregor. Would you have put it at more or less?
Seiior Villegas. Lower. The price of land has lowered in parts of the island of
Luzon, through scarcity of carabaos, and it has risen in other parts.
Governor Taft. What he said was that he thought that the land now was worth
less than when he made the estimate, because of the scarcity of carabaos and of
laborers.
Mr. McGregor. He said, I believe, that he would have put the value lower in the
years I mention. Why would he have put it lower?
Seiior Villegas. Because there has been a small percentage of increase in the
value of the land since that time up to the present time.
Mr. McGregor. Is that the reason you would have put it different, on account of
the increase in the value of the land?
Seiior Villegas. Yes, sir.
Mr. McGregor. If the value of the land had remained the same would you have
put the same value on it if it had not risen in value ?
Sefior Villegas. No, sir; I would have put it 10 per cent less.
Mr. McGregor. Why?
Seiior Villegas. On account of the lack of labor that there was at that time.
Mr. McGregor. Otherwise you would have given it the same value?
Seiior Villegas. I think the value has increased, because there are a greater num-
ber of people there, and therefore there would be more call for the products of the
land.
Mr. McGregor. My idea was right, that he would have put the same valuation on
the land if the circumstances had been the same. At that time a Mexican dollar
was equal to a gold dollar.
Governor Taft. This witness says now that he put an estimate on the land in
Mexican dollars and he put it at the current rate of exchange. Was it first-class
land?
Seiior Villegas. That is governed altogether by certain conditions; for instance,
soil and subsoil, and cultivation; the state of cultivation of the land, character of the
soil, and other conditions. But I should judge that first-class land is land that will
yield from 80 to 100 cavanes.
Governor Taft. Does that land, in order to yield as much as that, have to be
irrigated?
Seiior Villegas. Yes, sir.
Governor Taft. What is second-class land?
Seiior Villegas. It is land where the bed rock comes up nearer to the surface, or,
in other words, where the soil is not so deep.
KEPORT OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION. 145
Governor Taft. How many crops do they get from first-class land in a year?
Senor Villegas. Two crops a year.
Governor Taft. How many crops do they get from second-class land?
Senor Villegas. The same number of crops, but as the composition of the soil is
different, being a poorer- class of soil, the yield is not so great.
Governor Taft. What is the yield of second-class land?
Senor Villegas. From 50 to 60 cavanes of palay.
Governor Taft. Is all this land rice land?
Senor Villegas. No, sir; other crops are grown, such as sugar.
Governor Taft. How much ought first-class sugar land to produce?
Senor Villegas. From 25 to 30 pilous of sugar to a hectare.
Governor Taft. How much does second-class sugar land produce?
Senor Villegas. From 16 to 20 pilons.
Governor Taft. I would like to ask whether through Cavite, through this prov-
ince, and Bulacan, first-class rice land among farmers, among people that deal in that
kind of property, has a fixed value for sale, so that the people understand what -the
value is?
Senor Villegas. At the time I made this valuation such land was thought to be
worth 150 pesos a hectare. If capitalists were ready with money to buy land in
large amounts it might possibly be bought for less than that, and in small lots more;
but I think haciendas of this size about 150 pesos.
Governor Taft. The question asked is this — whether through these three prov-
inces, and Lagudra, too, was first-class rice land a well understood kind of land, so
that the people knew what was meant when they said first-class rice land?
Senor Villegas. Yes, sir.
Governor Taft. What I intended to ask was — suppose we take province by prov-
ince^— suppose we take the province of Cavite: Is there a knowledge among men who
deal in this thing of a value attached to first-class rice land in the province of Cavite —
a generally understood value?
Senor Villegas. No, sir.
Governor Taft. Does each hacienda vary in its value? I mean the first-class rice
land.
Senor Villegas. Yes, sir.
Governor Taft. What makes it vary?
Senor Villegas. It is because, for example, in the province of Bulacan, what is
understood there by first class produces a greater number of cavanes of rice per hec-
tare than in Cavite. In Cavite it is from 80 to 90; in Bulacan the first-class land pro-
duces over 100; so that there is no fixed price for all the land.
Governor Taft. Is there a limit within which it varies?
Senor Villegas. There are limits between which the purchaser and the seller
make their agreement.
Governor Taft. You have said that it is higher in Bulacan than in Cavite. How
does that compare with Rizal?
Senor Villegas. What I have said was that the superior or first-class lands of
Bulacan were of a higher grade and brought a higher price than in Cavite. I myself
have valued first-class land in that province at 200 pesos a hectare.
Governor Taft. What is it worth in Rizal?
Senor Villegas. On account of its proximity to Manila first-class land may be
worth more.
Governor Taft. Does it produce more cavanes?
Senor Villegas. About the same as any other province. I am talking of irrigated
land.
Governor Taft. Isn't all first-class land irrigated?
Senor Villegas. Yes, sir.
Governor Taft. It has to be irrigated to produce two crops', does it not?
Senor Villegas. Yes, sir.
Archbishop Guidi. Is it not true that you have extended the urban zone at Imus,
Santa Cruz, Lolomboy, and Orion? You have considered all this land in your esti-
mate as urban land. Why is it that you have not included in the same urban zone
the lots belonging to the places at Calamba, Binan, Santa Rosa, and Pandi?
Senor Villegas. The area of all the town lots has been recorded in my report. I
believe that I have put in the town lots in each case. The only one that I have not
included within the urban zone is the one of Santa Maria de Pandi, of which part of
the land belongs to the municipality.
Archbishop Guidi. Why is it then, if you consider it as town property or within
the urban zone, that you value them by the hectare instead of by the square meter,
as if they were agricultural lands?
war 1903— vol 5 10
146 REPORT OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION.
Senor Villegas. It is because at those points we do not value land by square meters
but by hectares.
Archbishop Guidi. But all lands within the urban zone should be measured by
the square meter. Upon what do you base your judgment when you value the town
lots in Santa Cruz and Naic at $200 a hectare and at $125 at Lolomboy and Orion,
when, as a matter of fact, the property at these two latter places, or at least at Lolom-
boy, on account of its proximity to the railroad, should be worth more?
Senor Villegas. I did not make the valuation of the lots at Lolomboy.
Archbishop Guidi. Upon what ground did you place your present valuation of the
lands, which is the same valuation or less valuation than it was twenty years ago,
when that price was paid, not for the ownership of the land, but merely for the use
of the land per hectare?
Senor Villegas. I was helped in forming my judgment in this valuation by investi-
gations made by me in the pueblos near the haciendas. I simply used the information
that I got from the people of the locality as a help to me in forming my judgment.
Archbishop Guidi. Explain why you have made the valuation at $200 a hectare
when twenty years ago it was worth $200 Mexican, at that time worth $100 gold,
that is to say the two metals being at par, and when rice was worth 6 or 7 reals and
now it is worth two or three times as much, while the value of the Mexican money
has depreciated to less than half that it was at that time. Explain why you have
done this. It appears that this is contradictory of what you said before.
Senor Villegas. I have not said that the land was worth $200 an acre twenty
years ago.
Archbishop Guidi. Even if you did not say so, we can take that fact into consid-
eration that land was worth 200 pesos a hectare, equivalent to $200.
Governor Taft. About Lolomboy. This gentleman (Senor Gutierrez) has said
something about the value of the land at Lolomboy; that the town lots ought to be
worth more because the railroad runs through them. As a matter of fact the rail-
road does not run except through a corner of Lolomboy, and there is no station that
I can find on this map showing that the railroad has a station on the estate of
Lolomboy.
Senor Gutierrez. There is a station within 500 meters of Lolomboy.
Governor Taft. The value of a town lot depends upon the prosperity, the size,
and the business of the town, and when these solares are situated 2 or 3 miles from
the railroad the presence of the railroad does not affect their value as town lots. It
may affect the value of the whole hacienda, because it brings the agricultural prop-
erty within reasonable distance of the city, but it does not affect the value of the
town lots unless those town lots are on a railroad or in a large town? The value of
a town lot depends upon its use and utility, ordinarily, for a store or something that
is used in a town, such as a factory or store. Now, 500 meters away from a station
that has no buildings that can be used as a store or factory is likely to make the
land much more useful for agricultural purposes than as a town lot. For instance,
$200 a hectare which it may be worth for agricultural purposes may much exceed its
value as a town lot.
Senor Gutierrez. The reason that there are lots in some pueblos that are used for
agricultural purposes is simply because there is not sufficient population in that town
to utilize the land as town lots.
Governor Taft. That's it, exactly; so it is not worth what you wish to impose on
town lots. You do not use it for town lots because there is no demand for it as such.
Senor Gutierrez. Still, some of the land even at Lolomboy is needed for building
purposes, even if only a few hectares; but those hectares are needed for town lots,
and must be considered as town lots.
Governor Taft. That has got 164 hectares of solares in Lolomboy.
Archbishop Guidi. Explain to me why you have valued rice land above sugar-cane
land, when it is known that the latter gives a more valuable product.
Senor Villegas. It is because they are higher lands than those of palay.
Archbishop Guidi. Is it not true that the sugar-cane land gives a greater profit
than rice land?
Senor Villegas. No, sir; rice lands give a more valuable crop than sugar.
Governor Taft. Are the expenses of cultivating sugar greater than the expenses of
cultivating rice?
Senor Villegas. Yes, sir.
Governor Taft. How do they differ; how much?
Senor Villegas. It is slight but the difference consists in the using of machinery
with sugar cane.
Archbishop Guidi. Explain what method you have used in making the valuation
of uncultivated lands. It appears that you have put a valuation of $25 Mexican on
REPORT OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION. 147
the lands of Santa Maria de Pandi. On all other uncultivated lands you nave placed
a valuation of $5 Mexican a hectare, notwithstanding the fact that many of these
lands have valuable timber on them. Explain why you have done this.
Senor Yillegas. It is because the lands on the estate of Santa Maria de Pandi are
all level lands which it is not necessary to clear. I have made this valuation of $5
in consideration of the fact that uncultivated state lands were valued at from one to
five dollars a hectare.
Archbishop Guidi. You should not have done that when considering private
lands. These are not state lands. The government lands naturally would be much
cheaper than private lands, because the government sells those lands cheaper in
order to promote agriculture. I wish to ask if, in making the valuation of these
uncultivated lands, you have taken into consideration that many of them contain
valuable woods and quarries; and have you taken into consideration the fact that the
character of the soil and the subsoil must be considered, as is the custom in Italy and
elsewhere? Have you considered that if they have waterfalls they may be considered
valuable for manufacturing purposes? Have you, in short, considered the quality of
the soil, the quality of the timber, the quarries, waterfalls, and all other sources of
natural wealth which they contain?
Senor Yillegas. I have taken into consideration the value of these quarries at
Mandaluya. I have seen that there is mountainous land near Imus, but I do not
see that there are quarries there. The trouble with the quarries at Imus is that they
are so far removed that it is easier to get the stone from Manila than to get it out of
the quarry.
Governor Taft. In what condition are the roads ?
Senor Villegas. The main road to Binicayan is almost impassable during the rainy
season. They are in bad condition.
Governor Taft. Are these rivers navigable with bancas?
Senor Yillegas. They are navigable with small boats up to the bridge of Imus.
Beyond that the river has a very stony bottom and is shallow.
Archbishop Guidi. In your valuation of this property, have you considered the
improvements ?
Senor Yillegas. Yes, sir.
Archbishop Guidi. Have .you considered the value of the dams ?
Senor Yillegas. I have also considered the value of the dams.
Archbishop Guidi. You say that they are in a bad state and you have valued them
accordingly ?
Senor Villegas. Yes, sir.
Archbishop Guidi. The difference between the actual cost of this dam and the
valuation put upon it by the witness is enormous. Irrigation can be done in two
ways. One is the old-fashioned way, with a great deal of trouble, and the other is the
modern system, and the land that has these modern improvements is worth a great
deal more, irrespective of being first-class land.
Governor Taft. The land is worth what it produces.
Archbishop Guidi. You must take into consideration the difference that there is
in paying 40 men to irrigate a certain piece of first-class land and paying 2 men to
open up the doors and letting the water flow in.
Governor Taft. It does not make any difference whether the irrigation is natural
irrigation or whether it requires power to pump the water. If you have the water
there and it can be put on the land just as cheap from natural resources as from
engine, the engine is not to be valued in the value of the land.
Archbishop Guidi. I can not agree with you. You must take into consideration
the expense that there is of the irrigation afterwards, which is very high.
Governor Taft. I agree to that. The point I am trying to make is that what we
are paying for here is the agricultural land. Now, what I do' not want to pay for is
the agricultural land and those amounts invested in the land — a million dollars, it
may be, gold or silver, I do not care what — which made that land good agricultural
land. If I pay for the land, then I get all there is; and to take, first, a valuation of the
land and then add what it cost to make that land, is to make me pay double.
Archbishop Guidi. We do not claim that we wish payment for these lands as first-
class lands and payment for the improvements; but what we do claim is that these
first-class lands with the improvements on them at present are worth more than if
they were without the improvements.
Governor Taft. I agree to that. You say superior first-class lands; that means
land that can be economically irrigated so that it produces two crops a year. I agree
that we ought to pay what that land will sell for — what that land is worth in the
market. But we pay for the land; we do not pay for the improvements which made
it that land.
1-48 REPOBT OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION.
Archbishop Guidi. That is true, but you must value these first-class lands with the
improvements.
Governor Taft. The improvements are worth just what they add to the value of
the land. Now, what we pay for this land is its value — its market value — what
other people who would buy and had an opportunity to buy and who expected to
use it for agricultural purposes would pay. In other words, it is what the land buys
and sells for in the market. It is the demand for such land and the willingness to
sell by those persons who hold. I agree that the number of cavanes that is produced
a year affects what people will pay for the land; but the ultimate fact is the actual
value in the market, controlled by many circumstances in addition to its productivity
and the economy of its working, which is controlled by its distance from the market,
by the amount of sugar, etc., that is produced, by the difficulties of getting labor,
and by the difficulty of getting cattle to work it. All these things control what land
sells for in the market. We are trying to get at the fair valuation of this land. What
would you estimate the market value of the land to be? The income from the land
influences those who wish to buy. I observe in reading over some of the calcula-
tions as to the value of the Recoleto, or Augustinian lands, I think, that they calcu-
lated that they ought to be capitalized on a net return of 6 per cent, I have asked
gentlemen who are familiar with agricultural land what it ought to pay, and they say
that it ought to pay 20 per cent in this countr}-, because of the danger from locusts
and everything else that you have to take into calculation as you look at it for five
or ten years. If there are no sales of lands, you have got to get at the price in
some other way; but the best standard of what is the market value of land is what
it sells for.
Archbishop Guidi. I do not consider myself very strong on economic questions,
but I have had some experience in Europe in the sale and purchase of lands; and it
is generally the custom there, when trying to capitalize a piece of land, to take what
it had produced net for twenty-five years and then get the average per year for the
period, and work on that basis.
Governor Taft. In Europe if a man gets 4 per cent on his investment he regards
himself as very fortunate. In this country loans on real estate and agricultural
property must have from 20 to 25 and 30 per cent interest a year. That illustrates
the difference in the calculation of the value of this land from that which is made
on European lands. Therefore, when you come to calculate what you ought to
make here, you have got to calculate it on a much larger percentage of income than
you calculate in England, in Italy, or in the United States. The difference in the con-
ditions must necessarily affect the price to be paid for the land here. There is
another consideration. These gentlemen, the friars, have owned this land from
fifty to two hundred years, more or less. What did they actually make out of the
land? How much a year did they get out of it?
Continued from February 16, 1903.
Malaca&an Palace, February 21, 1903.
Mr. McGeegoe. With reference to the answers given by Senor Yillegas at the last
meeting, I have a copy of the proceedings. Sehor Yillegas first of all says that there
are no quarries at Imus, and then says that the trouble at Imus is that the quarries
are so far removed that it is easier to get the stone from Manila than to get them out
of the quarry. To this I replied that all the buildings there were built with stone
from the neighborhood, as well as the dams and aqueducts. Senor Villegas says
that the road to Binacayan is almost impassable during the rainy season; to which I
replied that Binacayan is a most inconvenient point on the bay, and that the road to
Imus is first class. I might add that Binacayan is a place that is not used as a means
of getting to Imus. Everybody goes to Bacoor. I have only once been to Binacayan ;
that is because I could not get to Bacoor. Senor Yillegas made a statement that all
the roads on the property are in bad condition. I have personally seen most of the
roads, and most of the other roads in Cavite Province, and I think that I can honestly
say that most of the roads in the Imus hacienda are as good and better. During the
dry season they are not at all bad, and during the wet season for about four months
in the year many are very bad ; but during the time of the year when Ave want
to transport rice, which is the dry season, they are good. The road from Imus
to Bacoor is always good, because it is a first-class road. The principal road that
runs right from the hacienda up to Silang is in pretty good condition up as far as
Perez Dasmarinas, which is about halfway. It is just 500 yards outside. It was
the original idea to make the road from Imus to Dasmarinas a first-class road
throughout, but I believe people said the money ran short, and it is now not really
a bad road. For provinces it is a good road. I might also say that almost every
river or stream is bridged by a very substantial stone bridge, that you do not see
EEPOBT OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION. 149
outside the friars' haciendas. Some have been broken down, but most of them are
still in good order. All the principal ones are in good order. My statement regard-
ing the value of the dams as a source of power for driving machinery was not
recorded. I mentioned principally the dam at San Nicolas, called the Place de
Molina. I said that it had a head of water of 22 or 23 yards, which would give all the
power that you could possibly want for any factory, and above which is a considerable-
sized lake, that, unless there 'was a very prolonged drought, would furnish power for
a very long time. Sefior Yillegas says the Imtis Eiver is navigable only by small
boats' up to the Imus Bridge. My reply, to the effect that large cascoes can go right
up to the go-downs, was not recorded. [Shows Governor Taft a photograph in sup-
port of his statement.] Seiior Yillegas says that the dams are in bad condition. My
reply to the contrary is not recorded. I would like to add that some of them may
have been neglected. Some of the canals have been neglected and allowed to grow
over, but I have seen most of the waterworks, and I have not seen any signs of
willful destruction. It has been through want of care if anything is not as it ought
to be.
Ask Seiior Yillegas on what grounds he bases the value that he has put on the
whole of the waterworks on the Imus property. I think it is $84,000 Mexican he
puts it at.
Seiior Yillegas. I have placed that valuation in accordance with the actual con-
dition of those works.
Mr. McGregor. I would like to say in regard to the dam at Place de Molina — and
there are other dams on the property — that it could not be built for that amount.
I had an engineer up with me, Mr. Dock, an Englishman, who died a short time
ago — last year. He valued the hacienda part of the place that has been occupied by
troops; and I also had him up to see this dam, and I asked him what it could be
built for, and he said that it could not be built for $160,000. He is a man that does
that sort of work.
Governor Taft. So that it is worth now $160,000 if you measure it by what it would
cost to reproduce it. He added $84,000 to the valuation of the land. You paid — or
your predecessors paid — for the property about $75,000 gold, and you say you have
added $1,000,000 in improvements. Are you going to estimate the value by what it
cost you to buy that land and then what it cost you to put the improvements on? If
you add the value of the improvements, and you take what the value of the land is
as made by those improvements, you just double the price for the purchaser.
Mr. McGregor. I was getting at this statement of Seiior Yillegas, that the water-
works now are worth $84,000. It is put at a very absurdly low price.
Governor Taft. It is put in there as the basis for use in furnishing electric power
for sawmills or something of that sort. If you put a sawmill on the land that adds
to the value of the land, and its addition may be fairly estimated by what it costs to
put up a sawmill.
Mr. McGregor. I have seen Seiior Yillegas' s valuation once — Seiior Legarda showed
it to me — and it looked to me as if his valuation of the land was quite separate and
apart from any improvement on it, because he has valued the improvements sepa-
rately.
Governor Taft. It is fair to add to the value of the whole estate the dams, if they
can be used for the purpose of creating water power.
Archbishop Guidi. In principle I quite agree with Governor Taft as to the manner
of placing a valuation on this land and improvements, but it appears to me that there
is a mistake somewhere. Seiior Yillegas, in making the comparative study of the valua-
tion which he has made of different estates, has not considered the added value of
the lands by virtue of these improvements, and has assessed the land with improve-
ments at very much the same ratio as he has the land without improvements.
Governor Taft. That will appear as we go over the different estates.
Archbishop Guidi. It appears to me that Sehor Yillegas, while he may be a capa-
ble man in his profession as agricultural engineer, does not seem to me to be a man
who is competent to know everything, and not a man competent to place a value
upon engineering or hydraulic works. I think that there is a limit beyond which
he must not go in the assessment of these estates. He has evidently had limits in
his mind between which he fixed all these assessments. He has not taken into con-
sideration, in the valuation of these lands, their proximity to Manila or their remote-
ness from Manila, and other conditions that would bear upon their value. He has
not taken into account at all those conditions which ought to be taken into consider-
ation; that is to say, the quality of the land, its nearness to a market, and other con-
ditions which bear upon value. It is impossible to fix a ratio or standard for all of
these estates, because the conditions which prevail in regard to the quality of the
soil, etc., are so very different.
150 REPORT OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION.
Governor Taft. The delegate has stated some of his inferences from the examina-
tion of the assessments as to what Senor Villegas has done. I would like to ask a
few questions of Senor Villegas as to what instructions he had with reference to the
examination of these estates.
Archbishop Guidi. I have not made inferences with regard to Senor Villegas' s
instructions, but my reply was simply in answer to your remark that the value of
the land ought also to include the value of the improvements, and I have doubted
whether Senor Villegas has taken into account the value of the improvements in the
valuation that he has placed on the land. It appears that in his assessment he has
not taken into consideration the improvements.
Governor Taft. Let me ask Senor Villegas whether before he made the survey
anybody suggested to him the limits of the valuation within which he was required
to make this assessment.
Senor Villegas. No, sir.
Governor Taft. How did you reach your valuation of each estate?
Senor Villegas. I have placed the value after an investigation of the value of land
in the vicinity of the hacienda.
Governor Taft. Did you go over the land yourself?
Senor Villegas. Yes, sir; I have been over all of the estates.
Governor Taft. Did you take into consideration, in your estimation of the value
of the lands, the ease or otherwise with which it could be irrigated?
Senor Villegas. Yes, sir.
Archbishop Guidi. Have you also borne in mind the proximity or the remoteness
of the hacienda from Manila and the ease with which the products could be marketed?
Senor Villegas. Yes, sir.
Governor Taft. Let us take the two estates of San Francisco de Malabon and
that of San Juan and San Nicolas, or what is usually called the hacienda of Imus.
You have put $150 a hectare as the value of the first-class superior land, and there it
is the same. Do these estates lie together?
Senor Villegas. Yes, sir; they are adjacent.
Governor Taft. Are they similarly situated, speaking generally of the whole
estate, with reference to the ease with which their products can be carried to Manila
or elsewhere?
Senor Villegas. Yes, sir.
Mr. McGregor. I do not wish to detract in any way from the value of the other
estates, but I simply want to speak for Imus. I notice that the valuations, at least I
am told, are the same for first-class land. If you take into consideration the facility
with which the products can be brought to the market, there ought to be a very con-
siderable difference. Imus is situated by road about 14 or 15 miles from here, and
with the exception of about four months in the year that road is a good road, and
you can go in any way you like to it and it takes but a short time. It also is the
cheaper way to put the goods into a casco and punt it along the shore. You can
pull it right into the middle of Manila.
Governor Taft. Can not you do that on the hacienda of San Francisco de Malabon?
Mr. McGregor. You have got to go around the Cavite point.
Augustinian Friar. The two estates are adjacent, and with regard to those condi-
tions they apply to one and the other equally well, because he also can take his prod-
uce from the hacienda of San Francisco de Malabon by casco to Manila.
Mr. McGregor. He has to take it around the peninsula of Cavite, which takes it
around the middle of the bay.
Augustinian Friar. Our estate has a seashore, which the Imus estate has not,
and if you take that into consideration the advantages are about equal. The distance
by water is a little farther, but with regard to reaching the water front we have the
advantage over Imus.
Mr. McGregor. We have got the river and do not need shore frontage.
Augustinian Friar. The estate of San Francisco de Malabon also has a river, and
we have communication with the shore by river. They have a large number of
dams and they also have a tunnel or canal there.
Governor Taft. Are there not extensive improvements on the hacienda of San
Francisco de Malabon? Have they dams there?
Senor Villegas. They have dams there.
Governor Taft. Is the irrigation system on the estate of San Francisco de Malabon
in about as good a condition as on the estate of Imus?
Senor Villegas. Yes, sir; it is equally as efficient. The water for both irrigation
systems is taken from one source, one river.
Governor Taft. Is it not fair, therefore, looking at both haciendas, to place the
same price on the different classes of land — on the one as on the other?
KEPOKT OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION. 151
Senor Villegas. In view of the fact that the soil is thinner in the San Nicolas
estate, the Imus estate has a richer and deeper soil.
Mr. McGregor. He is saying that Imus is better than San Nicolas. That is so.
Governor Taft. Is the soil in Imus about the same as the soil of San Francisco de
Malabon?
Senor Villegas. No, sir.
Governor Taft. Which has the greater advantage?
Seiior Yillegas. San Francisco de Malabon is better. There is a difference in my
valuation of the two haciendas with regard to the second and third class lands.
With regard to the first-class land they are both equally good. I have placed an
equal valuation on first-class land of the two estates for the reason that I think that
they are both equally good.
Governor Taft. There is a great deal more first-class land in the San Francisco
than in Imus, which shows that the land is better in the San Francisco than in
Imus on the average. I want to ask as to the estate of Naic; that is a Dominican
estate. Are there improvements on the estate of Naic?
Seiior Villegas. Yes, sir.
Governor Taft. What are they?
Senor Villegas. They have large dams, small dams, and some tunnels or canals.
Governor Taft. How does the soil of the estate of Naic compare with that of the
estate of Imus and San Francisco?
Senor Villegas. The soil of Naic is richer than the soil of either San Francisco de
Malabon or the estate of Imus.
Governor Taft. Is the soil of the estate of Naic the richest in the province of
Cavite?
Senor Villegas. Yes, sir.
Governor Taft. Hasn't it always had the reputation 01 oeing the best hacienda in
Cavite?
Senor Villegas. Yes, sir.
Governor Taft. The estate of Naic is a considerable distance from Manila, isn't it?
Senor Villegas. It is a little far.
Governor Taft. Hasn' t the estate of Naic a sea frontage?
Senor Villegas. Yes, sir.
Governor Taft. I want to ask if it is not a fact, with reference to agricultural
property that is not likely to become city property at all, but always likely to
remain agricultural property, that it makes very little difference, provided there is
access to the water and easy navigation to Manila, whether it be 10 miles or 15 miles
or 20 miles from the city, in the valuation of land?
Senor Villegas. Yes, sir; that is true. Aside from this advantage which the
Naic estate has from being on the water front, the pueblos of Silang and Indang,
because they have sterile land around them, have to purchase the products which
they need at this hacienda, so that it finds a market in the pueblos of Indang and
Silang.
Governor Taft. I observe that you have valued the first-class land of Naic at 25
per cent more than you value the first-class land of Imus and San Francisco. Do
you base that on the character of the soil?
Senor Villegas. Yes, sir; I have done so because I consider them superior, first-
class lands.
Governor Taft. I observe that you make all the land which is cultivated in the
hacienda of Naic first-class land.
Senor Villegas. No, sir; there is also third-class land there.
Governor Taft. I think not; there is no third-class land here. There is only first-
class and uncultivated land.
Senor Villegas. Yes; I have some uncultivated lands the're at $5 a hectare.
Governor Taft. Look at that map and see if you find any third-class land there.
Senor Villegas. I have considered all of this land as first-class land on account
of its proximity to the town.
Governor Taft. Is it claimed by Senor Gutierrez that there is any more first-class
land than appears on this map ?
Senor Gutierrez. I would like to state in connection with this matter that it has
not been possible for me to go all over these estates, and therefore I can not say
whether these figures given in this estimate are correct or not.
Governor Taft. As I calculate it, roughly, he has estimated that of the 7,000 hec-
tares in the hacienda of Naic, a little less than half are cultivated or first-class land.
Seiior Gutierrez. Yes, sir; so I see by his estimate.
Governor Taft. I am trying to get at the classification of the land, of the culti-
vated and uncultivated, whether his estimate differs in that respect from yours.
152 KEPOKT OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION.
Sefior Gutierrez. It is impossible for me to say, or to estimate even whether the
data given by Sefior Villegas are correct or not, because I have not any data at hand
to show. I would have to go to my office to examine the data and find out how
much of the land is cultivated or not.
Governor Taft. In estimating the value of an estate the question as to how much
land is cultivated and uncultivated is the first and most important matter to be
determined, and I would be glad, in order that we may not disagree, if Sefior
Gutierrez will examine his books and determine in round figures how much of the
estate of Naic is cultivated, because Senor Gutierrez will understand that we are
much more likely to reach an agreement if we can first find out those things upon
which we agree.
Sehor Gutierrez. My objection was simply now to be confined to the assessment
of the valuation which has been placed by Sehor Villegas upon eight of our estates.
Governor Taft. Where does the estate of Santa Cruz de Malabon lie with refer-
ence to San Francisco de Malabon and the hacienda of Imus?
Sefior Villegas. To the west of San Francisco de Malabon.
Governor Taft. That is farther from Manila?
Sefior Villegas. About the same distance from Manila.
Governor Taft. Are there improvements on the estate of Santa Cruz de Malabon,
and what do they consist of?
Sefior Villegas. It has improvements. It has the dam of the Tres Cruces and other
dams as well.
Governor Taft. The dam of the Tres Cruces is a dam across the mouth of the lake,
isn't it? Or it makes a lake?
Sefior Villegas. No, sir; it is in the bed of a stream.
Governor Taft. What is the condition with reference to improvements, with refer-
ence to roads, with reference to the irrigation of land, of the four estates of San Fran-
cisco, Santa Cruz, Naic, and Imus, respectively, and comparatively?
Sefior Villegas. Those conditions are almost similar in the four estates.
Governor Taft. With reference to reaching Manila by the Bay of Cavite, are their
conditions practically the same?
Sefior Villegas. No, sir; by water the communication is almost similar, but by
land the conditions favor Imus first, then San Francisco de Malabon, then Naic, and
then Santa Cruz.
Governor Taft. Is water navigation to be preferred to land navigation now?
Sefior Villegas. It is less costly and easier by water.
Governor Taft. How does the soil of the hacienda of Santa Cruz compare with
that of San Francisco and that of Imus ?
Sefior Villegas. With regard to the comparison between Santa Cruz de Malabon
and San Francisco de Malabon, the soil is very similar, but not so in comparison with
that of Imus, because I do not think that the subsoil in the estate of Imus contains
as many advantageous elements for cultivation as the subsoil of the other estates.
Governor Taft. I observe that nearly one-half, or a little more than four-ninths,
of all the estate of Santa Cruz you have made first-class superior land, but that you
have no second and third class there.
Sefior Villegas. I have not included any second or third class land in here, be-
cause the amount of second and third class land in this estate is very insignificant.
Governor Taft. As I understand your assessment, then, you have put the value of
the Naic first-class land at 25 per cent more than the value of first-class land in the
other three haciendas because it is richer?
Sefior Villegas. Yes, sir.
_ Governor Taft. And you have really made the average value per acre of San Fran-
cisco and Santa Cruz higher than that of Imus, not by valuing the first-class land as
any higher, but by classifying some of the cultivated land in Imus as second and
third class and making all the cultivated land in San Francisco and Santa Cruz as
first class.
Sefior Villegas. I have done that because of the difference in the soil.
Governor Taft. This covers all the estates in Cavite.
Archbishop Guidi. It appears to me that the estates in the province of Bulacan
have been assessed at about the same price.
Governor Taft. I would be glad to call his excellency's attention to the fact that
there are different ways of estimating the value of an hacienda, or rather that the
value of an hacienda is affected not only by the price put upon first-class land, but by
the classification of haciendas in the first-class, second-class, and third-class land,
and that our friend McGregor, whose estate is at Imus, suffers in this assessment by
the fact that a good deal of his cultivated land is classified as second and third class
land.
REPOKT OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION. 153
Archbishop Guidi. But who makes these assessments?
Governor Taft. We are discussing Senor Villegas' s evidence. His excellency criti-
cises his estimate by saying that there is no variation between the estates, and I am
showing by my examination that there is a difference; and I also want to show the
purpose of this examination. His excellency has criticised very severely the esti-
mate of Senor Villegas, on the ground that he makes no difference with reference to
the proximity to Manila. We have four estates in Cavite and we have shown — and
I do not think my friends on the other side of the table differ, except Brother
McGregor — that practically the distances of the four estates in Cavite are the same.
Mr. McGregor. I do not agree with that.
Governor Taft. We have got through Cavite then, so far as that criticism is
concerned.
Archbishop Guidi. My remark was a general remark, applying to all of the estates;
but with respect to these four estates I quite agree with you; but I wish it understood
that I do not accept the classification that Senor Villegas has made, because I have no
confidence in his j udgment.
Governor Taft. I am not speaking of his judgment now, either as to classification
or as to values. What I am trying to meet is specifically the criticisms of his excel-
lency on Senor Villegas' s report, as he has examined it. What I am trying to show
now by the examination of Senor Villegas is, that his classifications are consistent
with themselves intrinsically. I understood his excellency to attack them as not
consistent with themselves; that is what I am trying now to examine. I understood
his excellency to begin with the statement that on the face of them they were wrong
because they were not consistent with themselves. With reference to these four in
Cavite this inconsistency does not appear. We are now considering his judgment of
these lands. The question as to classification, as to whether it is first, second, or
third class land, or whether it is uncultivated. I have not heard any dispute — it may
be that there is a dispute, but I have not heard of it — of the correctness of Senor Vil-
legas's measurement as to cultivated and uncultivated land. I have seen a calculation
made, I think by the representatives of the Augustinian friars, furnished me by his
excellency, and possibly also by the Dominicans, whom Senor Gutierrez represents,
in which, if I understood the calculations, the figures of the survey of Senor Villegas
were accepted as the proper ones. If I am mistaken I would like to be corrected.
Archbishop Guidi. In his measurement of the land there is practically no differ-
ence at all, but it is simply in the valuation that has been placed upon it.
Governor Taft. The question of cultivated and uncultivated land is a matter of
measurement, because there can be no dispute as to whether the land is cultivated.
Archbishop Guidi. I understand that the matter of cultivated and uncultivated
land is a very easy one, because it is a matter of measuring; but the question lies in
Senor Villegas' s classification of land as first and second class. If it has appeared
from my silence that I have accepted any of the classifications made by Senor Ville-
gas, I wrish to correct that error and to reserve my criticisms until later.
Governor Taft. I want to reach out and find howr far we agree, and when we
have found how far we agree, then we can discuss those things we disagree about.
Let us see about Cavite. In Cavite, except in the haciendas of San Juan and San
Nicolas, of our friend McGregor, there isn't any land classified as second and third
class land. All the land in Santa Cruz, in San Francisco, and in Naic is either uncul-
tivated land or is first-class land as classified by him. Therefore our dispute with
the Senor Padre and Senor Gutierrez is reduced solely, if I understand it, to a dispute
over what is the real valuation of first-class land and of uncultivated land in those
three estates, and therefore, that our only dispute as to classification of land is with
Mr. McGregor as to what is second and third class land and what valuation ought to
be put on first-class land in the haciendas of San Juan and San Nicolas.
Mr. McGregor. Might I ask if there is no cultivated land in the province of Cavite
except on the Imus estate — that is, cultivated land, simply relying on the rain and
not on any artificial water — no land cultivated that is not irrigated?
Senor Villegas. Yes, sir; there is other land in the province of Cavite that is cul-
tivated without irrigation — what is called here aventureres.
Mr. McGregor. On these estates that have been mentioned, with the exception
of Imus estates?
Sefior Villegas. No, sir.
Governor Taft. Is there any such land on Imus?
Mr. McGregor. Yes.
Senor Villegas. Owing to the damages which have been caused to several of the
dams there, the water did not reach some parts of the land on the Imus estate. These
lands in spite of their not being irrigated were cultivated, and they have depended
on rainfall for cultivation.
154 KEPORT OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION.
Mr. McGregor. I simply asked if there was any land cultivated that was not irri-
gated and he said no.
Senor Villegas. I said that there was, and that these lands that were cultivated
without irrigation were called aventureres. They cultivate these lands on private
property, but not on the haciendas. However, they could be on the haciendas.
Mr. McGregor. Do you mean to say that the Imus hacienda is the only hacienda
where the dams are damaged?
Senor Villegas. No, I do not mean to say that. On the hacienda San Francisco
de Malabon, Santa Cruz, and others, some of these dams have been damaged, and I
have not included the land which is not irrigated owing to the damages to the dams
as cultivated land.
Mr. McGregor. But are they cultivating that land?
Senor Villegas. No, sir.
Mr. McGregor. Are they cultivating that land on the Imus?
Senor Villegas. No, sir; that land is not cultivated at the present time; and I
think another reason why it is not cultivated, aside from the fact that it is not irri-
gated, is on account of the lack of labor.
Governor Taft. I think you said that at Imus they still cultivate with the rains.
Senor Villegas. I meant to say that such land was susceptible of cultivation by
rain, but I did not mean to say that they were doing so at the present time.
Mr. McGregor. Why have you made that difference in classification of the Imus
and called it second and third class lands, and on the other estates uncultivated
lands?
Senor Villegas. On the other estates I have not classified land in the same con-
dition as first-class land.
Mr. McGregor. I asked why you have classified the same land on the other
estates as uncultivated lands and on the Imus estate as third-class land.
Senor Villegas. I classified it as third-class land because it is third-class land;
but at the present time it is being cultivated.
Mr. McGregor. But you said it was not.
Governor Taft. His evidence is certainly very inconsistent.
Mr. McGregor. First of all, he said that they cultivated that land on Imus, then
he said they did not, then he said that similar land on the other estates was not
cultivated, and then he contradicted himself. There is one question regarding
Cavite Province that has not been brought up, and that is that Imus is celebrated
for its mangoes. That has not been taken into consideration at all.
Governor Taft. What will a mango tree produce annually ?
Senor Villegas. One mango tree produces as high as $20 to $25, and sometimes as
high as $50 and $100. I have taken it into account in making the assessment of the
lots or solares.
Mr. McGregor. But solares are building lots.
Senor Villegas. The word solares is used in this country with reference to ground
that is used for horticultural purposes.
Mr. McGregor. We estimate that there are 8,000 mango trees in full bearing on the
Imus property, and the Imus mangoes are the most expensive in the Manila market.
Senor Villegas. Your remark with regard to the fame of the Imus mangoes
applies to the whole province of Cavite as well. I have fixed the valuation on the
ground itself and then taken into consideration the mango trees that were on it. I
have not fixed it on the products also; that is to say, I have not valued the products
also.
Mr. McGregor. That does not appear to me as being the correct way of doing it. I
think mango trees should certainly be valued. Being a special crop, it is a very
valuable crop.
Governor Taft. I am told by Senor Luzuriaga that the mango crop is a very uncer-
tain crop. I met Mr. Jones, of Smith, Bell & Co., the other day, and said to him:
"I see you have built a steamer for the Rio Grande de la Pampanga." " Yes," he
said, ' ' I have, but I built it with a view of going up and down that river to Caba-
natuan and San Isidro; but right in the wet season it got so dry that it could not go
to San Isidro." ' ; That shows, " said Mr. Jones, "what happens in this country. "
So, in estimating your mango trees, you have got to estimate the fact that the crop
is uncertain and requires a good deal of labor to keep off the insects.
Mr. McGregor. Still, don't you think mango trees ought to be taken into considera-
tion?
Governor Taft. I have no doubt it is. I think it is an element that ought to be
considered in judging the correctness of bis valuation.
Senor Villegas. Land which is cultivated to mangoes is not susceptible to culti-
vation of any other thing, because once it is cultivated to mangoes it is not fit to be
cultivated to anything else.
REPORT OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION. 155
Mr. McGregor. Naturally; mango trees grow to an enormous age, and you do not
want to cultivate anything else.
Governor Taft. How are mangoes cultivated?
Senor Yillegas. They are cultivated in orchards, generally; also on the banks of
rivers.
Governor Taft. I thought they grew where they did not interfere with the
general crops.
Senor Villegas. That is why I say that land which is devoted to the cultivation
of the mango tree can not be used to the cultivation of any other crops.
Senor Gutierrez. I wish to state that the assertion that land which is devoted to
the cultivation of the mango tree is useless for the cultivation of anything else is not
true, because I have an hacienda where I cultivate mango trees in the sugar-cane
fields. I wish to ask Senor Villegas on what grounds he has fixed the valuation of
$200 for each hectare of first-class land of the Naic estate, when he admits that land
of the Naic estate is the best in Cavite Province.
Senor Villegas. Because that is the price which rules around the neighboring
pueblos to that estate. I have investigated the matter and have asked several people
there, who have told me that first-class land is worth 200 pesos a hectare.
Archbishop Guidi. Did you ask these questions at Naic itself ?
Senor Villegas. I asked these questions as to the value of the land of people in
the adjacent pueblos of Ternate and Maragondon. I refrained from asking the peo-
ple of Naic because I was afraid that I could not get a just valuation there; so that
the valuation which I have placed on the Naic estate has been based upon my inves-
tigations of the value of land on testimony of people living in Maragondon and
Ternate, and the capitalists living there told me that first-class land was worth 200
pesos a hectare.
Archbishop Guidi. You should have made inquiries at Naic itself. Are you sure
that those capitalists at Ternate and Maragondon have given you a just valuation of
the land at Naic?
Senor Villegas. Yes, sir.
Archbishop Guidi. Why are you sure ?
Senor Villegas. Because I have absolute confidence in the people of whom I
asked this question, and, furthermore, my conscience tells me that this price is fair
and just.
Archbishop Guidi. That is not a matter of conscience, but of science.
Governor Taft. Ought these not to be united?
Archbishop Guidi. That can not always be, because an ignorant man may have a
conscience. Couscience and science ought to be united, but in the majority of men
it is not sos
Senor Gutierrez. Senor Villegas, therefore, has really not valued the lands at Naic,
but at Ternate and Maragondon.
Senor Villegas. I based my judgment after investigations and upon the evidence
given to me by people living at Ternate and Maragondon. I did not ask the opinions
of people living at Naic, because the people living at Naic were hostile to the corpo-
rations which owned the land, and they would probably put it at a lower price than
its true value.
Archbishop Guidi. Are not the people of Ternate and Maragondon also hostile to
the corporations?
Senor Villegas. I asked only those people in whom I had confidence and upon
whose word I could rely.
Governor Taft. Did you ask those people what the value of the land in the haci-
enda of Naic was, or did you ask what the value of the land which they owned in
Maragondon and Ternate was? »
Senor Villegas. I asked for the value of the land at the hacienda at Naic.
Governor Taft. How near to the hacienda of Naic did they live?
Sen or Villegas. A very short distance; Naic and Ternate are adjacent. Maragon-
don is also very near.
Senor Gutierrez. I first understood Senor Villegas to say that he had asked the
capitalists living at Ternate and Maragondon the price of the land which they owned,
but now he states that he had asked them the value of the land at Naic. How is it
possible for them to know the value of those lands if there have been no sales of those
lands at Naic?
Senor Villegas. The reason 1 did not take the judgment of the people at Naic in
regard to the value of those lands was because, after having asked them the value of
theland, they had placed a value of §100 upon first-class land per hectare, owing to
their hostility toward the owners of the estate. Therefore, knowing in my con-
science that the price was too low, I consulted the capitalists of Ternate and Mara-
gondon with respect to the value of those lands, and they fixed the value at 200 pesos.
156 EEPORT OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION.
Archbishop Guidi. What is the value of a peso now?
Senor Villegas. The value of the peso to-day is the same as the peso that has been
known from time immemorial.
Archbishop Guidi. What was the value of the peso in time immemorial?
Senor Villegas. The same as the Spanish duro in the time of the Spanish gov-
ernment, and that is the value of the peso in which I estimated the value of the land.
Archbishop Guidi. Is it not a fact that when people in that part of the country
speak of the peso it is the same peso they have known from time immemorial?
Senor Villegas. Yes, sir; that is the peso they mean.
Governor Taft. And they do not know anything about any other peso down there?
Senor Villegas. No, sir.
Governor Taft. And they have always measured the land in pesos, haven't they?
Senor Villegas. Yes, sir.
Governor Taft. When they sell land down there they sell it by the Mexican peso,
do they not?
Senor Villegas. Yes, sir.
Governor Taft. When they sell it now they sell it by Mexican peso, don't they?
Senor Villegas. I can not say as to just now.
Governor Taft. What I mean is, since the Americans came here. Whenever land
has been sold down there it has been sold by the Mexican peso, hasn't it?
Senor Villegas. Yes, sir; I also have just sold a lot for Mexican in Tondo.
Archbishop Guidi. The question from which I can not get beyond is, what does
the witness understand by a peso? What does he mean by a peso? What value
does he place upon it when he values the land in pesos? I have understood that he
regarded the peso as of the same value as of time immemorial, or the time during
the Spanish government.
Governor Taft. Let me make an explanation which seems to me entirely clear.
These people, in selling land or in doing anything else, in the province of Cavite,
deal with one standard of value, and that is the Mexican peso.
Archbishop Guidi. Yes, sir.
Governor Taft. Now, when they say it is worth Mexican pesos, they mean Mexi-
can pesos — those dollars that are stamped by the Mexican Government. If we are'
dealing with values and a standard of value, we have got to take the Mexican stand-
ard of value, because that is the only standard of value they know. Now, if it is said
that in the Spanish times the Mexican dollar was worth an American dollar, it is
not true unless you go back a long distance — say twenty years — and it is a little
difficult to estimate values by referring to twenty years back. If it be true that the
Mexican dollar has always been the standard, and we are to learn what the value of
that land is, we must consult those who live in its neighborhood. Then -we take the
Mexican dollar as our basis of valuation, and when I come to pay you I will pay you
in gold what the Mexican dollar is then worth. That is the logical method of rea-
soning. But the witness does not know anything about American dollars.
Archbishop Guidi. I agree with you, but the difference lies in this assessment in
exactly the same ratio as there is a difference in the value of the Mexican dollar
to-day and twenty years ago.
Governor Taft. That means that the land since 1896, if it is worth the same in
Mexican, has simply in gold decreased in value. It is not reasonable to suppose that,
in view of the six years of war that we have had, and the conditions of the country,
with the carabaos gone and the scarcity of labor, that agricultural lands should be
worth one-half in gold — estimated by commercial men — as much as it was when the
conditions were favorable to the sale of land and to its cultivation. Therefore you
do not prove anything when you say that people down there estimated the value
in Mexican twenty years ago, and that they now estimate it in the same Mexican.
In gold it means that the land has decreased in value.
Mr. McGregor. Supposing the value has decreased one-half; the value of the prod-
ucts has increased three or four times.
Governor Taft. The cost of transportation, of labor, etc., has increased four times,
so that the question of profit from the land, which makes the value of land, if you do
not estimate it by its selling value, is the same.
Mr. McGregor. These people have all the labor they want to cultivate their own
fields. It is very difficult for an outsider, but these people can work their own lands
all right.
Archbishop Guidi. Your assertion, Governor, that the land, with regard to its
gold value, has depreciated, is in contradiction of Senor Villegas' s statement that the
land was worth more.
Governor Taft. He estimates it in Mexican. But in real value, if you take the
gold standard, it is reduced in value.
KEPOET OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION. 157
Archbishop Guidi. We must take what he says — that he has estimated the value
of the land in the Spanish dollar.
Governor Taft. No; he has estimated it in the Mexican peso that was here at the
time, and what they have in their pockets to-day; and when a man down there says
a hectare is worth 200 pesos he has in his mind 200 large coins stamped with the
Mexican stamp.
(Adjourned until March 2, 1903.)
Continued from February 27, 1903.
Malacanan Palace, Manila, March %, 1903.
Senor Gutierrez. I would like to know whether Sehor Villegas considers the
lands of Maragondon and Ternate in equal conditions with those of Naic.
Seilor Yillegas. Yes, sir; those that are contiguous to Naic.
Senor Gutierrez. I object to this answer because of the fact that the lands of
Naic are irrigated and are perfectly well cultivated, whereas those of Maragondon
are not irrigated.
Senor Yillegas. The lands are in equal conditions, because those that are con-
tiguous have irrigation.
Senor Gutierrez. The lands have not any irrigation from the pueblo itself, but only
from the friars' lands; that is, from the hydraulic works which the friars have built,
and when they steal the water from them, then they may be irrigated, but not from
their own enterprises.
Senor Yillegas. I did not value the lands of Maragondon or Ternate, but I
appraised those of Naic.
Senor Gutierrez. I am not in accord with this valuation of the lands of Naic,
because they have never been sold; they have been owned by one party alone and
have never been sold.
Senor Yillegas. I made the valuation of this land according to my best knowledge
and belief.
Senor Gutierrez. The witness claims that a great part of the land of Naic is uncul-
tivated; that is not true of the present time, and has not been so since the war. The
whole land itself has been under cultivation at one time or another.
Senor Yillegas. The statement which I make is exactly correct according to the
plans and maps. What I put down as uncultivated is in an actual uncultivated state
and has never been cultivated.
Governor Taft. Where did you get the plans?
Senor Yillegas. I measured it myself.
Senor Gutierrez. So far as the present condition of the land is concerned, I can
state that it has all been under cultivation. As is known in the Philippines, within
six months cultivated land, if it is not cultivated, becomes wild again on account of
the exuberance of the vegetation; but this land has been at one time cultivated and
that cultivation was suspended on account of the war. The witness makes no mention
of 111 kilometers of canals which are used for the distribution of water, whereas
those canals exist on the property.
Senor Yillegas. Their present condition is given in my report.
Governor Taft. Did you actually measure the canals?
Senor Yillegas. They are little narrow ditches and earthworks; those that exist
at the present time do not amount to anything.
Seilor Gutierrez. Since they are the means of carrying water to the people they
should not in reality be considered so insignificant, because they have been built by
the owners of the estate and furnish water to the people at the present time. He
also omits, in the hacienda of San Francisco de Santa Cruz, to mention 15 kilometers
and 10 bridges which are used for the distribution of water, and a large dam which
cost over 8100,000 gold; he makes no mention of this.
Seilor Villegas. I have it set forth in the valuation.
Senor Gutierrez. He does mention it, but includes in all these waterworks a
price of §50,000, whereas the dam itself, which is called the Three Crosses dam,
cost §100,000 gold, and could not be replaced at the present time for $300,000.
Seilor Yillegas. While the dam may have originally cost what it is claimed that
it cost, in its present condition it could not be valued at more than the price which
I have placed on it. It is quite old; in fact, older than I am.
Senor Gutierrez. After these earthworks have settled they are much more solid
and massive and durable than they are when they are first built. The danger is
when they are first built; afterwards they become solidified.
Governor Taft. I would like to ask Senor Gutierrez whether he claims that we
ought to pay him for the dam at its cost or what it would cost now to build it, and
also pay him the value of the land as increased by the irrigation that the dam fur-
nishes?
158 EEPOET OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION.
Senor Gutierrez. No, sir; Ave desire to be paid for the land merely what it is
worth now at its present value; that whether it has increased threefold, twofold, or
onefold from the irrigation which it has undergone, I do not desire to consider. I
simply desired to state that this dam cost some three or four times as much as Senor
Villegas said it is worth.
Governor Taft. Is the dam high enough, Senor Gutierrez, to furnish power for
electrical works or things of that sort.
Senor Gutierrez. I have not measured it and can not state at this time.
Senor Villegas. I do not think it is over 25 meters from the bottom to the top.
The waterfall is from 15 to 16 meters.
Senor Gutierrez. I can not contradict that statement, because I have not the
figures, but I really believe it is more.
Archbishop Guidi. I believe that those lands which have improvements thereon
are worth more; those that have not these improvements are consequently worth
less. First-class lands of those estates whereon these improvements exist are cer-
tainly worth more than first-class lands of those estates whereon there are no
improvements. The witness does not seem to have made any distinction in his
valuation; he seems to have set a standard of price and does not desire to go above it.
Governor Taft. How much improvements may add to the value of land depends
upon what they do for land.
Archbishop Guidi. The production of the land is what determines it, and if the
improvements are the cause of larger production, of course then the land is improved
by it.
Governor Taft. I would like to ask his excellency a question to test our differ-
ences, if there are any. Suppose you take a hacienda in which there is a large
stream from which by a dam and by easy methods of irrigation land can be irrigated.
We will say that the cost of irrigation is the erection of a dam which may cost
$20,000. Now, suppose you take another hacienda with the same kind of soil but
with no stream on it at all, and suppose that in order to make that land good they
sink an artesian well and put in expensive pumps and then irrigate the lands, so
that the pumping plant, the well, and the irrigation cost $150,000, so that by the
water which is pumped just as good crops are obtained from the second hacienda as
from the first. Would you give any more for the second hacienda than you would
for the first?
Archbishop Guidi. I would, because the cost of the labor was more.
Governor Taft. But you do not get any more returns from it.
Friar Martin. In my opinion the two haciendas would be of equal value. I found
my valuation of these lands upon the production..
Governor Taft. My hypothesis is that here I have one hacienda, and here
another. There would be this difficulty, that probably on the pumping hacienda it
would cost more to irrigate than it does where you only use a dam; but I was assum-
ing that the cost was the same. I mean the cost of operation.
Archbishop Guidi. If the product is the same their value is the same.
Governor Taft. I quite agree, and I do not want to be understood to differ from the
proposition that works that make land more economically irrigated and make them
very frequently irrigated improve the value of the lands. It must be so where it
increases the amount of irrigation or reduces its cost. But what I wish to eliminate,
if I can, is the importance which Brother McGregor and Senor Gutierrez seem to
place on the original cost or the present cost of reproducing dams and other things.
Friar Martin. I agree with you in that case.
Governor Taft. The present condition of these works is important only as it points
to whether, in order to make the works workable, it is necessary to spend something
to put them in repair.
Archbishop Guidi. That is quite clear. I do not attach as great importance as you
seem to think I do to the original cost of these works, but I desire to impress upon
you the fact that these improvements do increase greatly the value of the land, because
they increase the productiveness of the land. My great objection to Senor Villegas's
testimony throughout is that he does not attach sufficient importance to the fact that
these lands have these improvements existing upon them, but he sets an equal stand-
ard for all of them and says that first-class land in this hacienda is the same as first-
class land in that hacienda, irrespective of whether the improvements on the one are
great or those on the other are less.
Governor Taft. We have been through Cavite and there all the land is irrigated
by practically the same system for practically the same cost.
Friar Martin. As far as the dams are concerned, the price which thej^ cost in the
first place or what they would cost now is the price we should obtain, because they
never lose their value and as time passes they become stronger; but of course that does
not apply to canals and those things which wear out.
KEPORT OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION. 159
Archbishop Guidi. What I want to set forth is that the price is the same all the way-
through .
Governor Taft. It is fair to give the witness an opportunity to explain the reason
of his assessments.
Mr. McGeegoe. I would like to ask in what pueblo he ascertained the value of the
lands around Imus.
Sefior Villegas. The first-class in San Francisco de Malabon; only the first-class.
Mr. McGeegoe. Why did you not ascertain the value of that in the towm of Imus?
Sefior Villegas. The presidente and the officials and leading men whom I asked
there gave me a very low price, which I did not believe was the just one.
Governor Taft. Herewith we have the hacienda of Malinta, Tala, and Piedra in
the province of Bulacan in the pueblo of Polo. Did you survey this hacienda?
Sefior Villegas. Yes, sir.
Governor Taft. Is it irrigated?
Sefior Villegas. Only that part that is first-class.
Governor Taft. How is it irrigated?
Sefior Villegas. It is irrigated very little by dams or dikes.
Governor Taft. Can they raise two crops on the first-class land?
Sefior Villegas. They do not; but it produces more than 100 cavanes.
Governor Taft. How does that compare with the production in Cavite?
Sefior Villegas. The first-class is almost equal to that of Cavite. With one crop a
year they raise as much as with two crops in Cavite in Malinta on the first-class land.
Governor Taft. The hacienda of Malinta is given here as about 3,500 hectares and
of this 3,500 hectares you place 650 hectares as first-class superior.
Sefior Villegas. First-class only.
Governor Taft. At 200 pesos a hectare.
Sefior Villegas. Whatever it is stated there.
Governor Taft. The second-class you state at 1,620 hectares, which you place at
150 pesos. How does the second-class differ from the first-class?
Sefior Villegas. It raises from 60 to 80 cavanes.
Governor Taft. The third class you estimate at 180 hectares, at 100 pesos a hectare,
and the remainder of 980 hectares you treat as uncultivated mountain land at $5 a
hectare.
Sefior Villegas. Yes, sir.
Governor Taft. What are the improvements on the Malinta estate?
Sefior Villegas. Little dikes.
Governor Taft. Here is the hacienda of Santa Maria del Pandi. Did you survey
the plans?
Sefior Villegas. I had it surveyed by my assistant; I was there investigating.
Governor Taft. Did you supervise the inspection?
Sefior Villegas. Yes, sir.
Governor Taft. Is that an improved estate?
Sefior Villegas. It has small parts there that can be considered first class.
Governor Taft. Is it well irrigated?
Sefior Villegas. It has some irrigation of very little importance.
Governor Taft. That contains, according to your measurement, 12,069 hectares.
Of that you place about 1,000 hectares as first class, at 200 pesos a hectare, and 1,500
second class. What will the first class produce?
Sefior Villegas. More than 100 cavanes.
Governor Taft. Does it produce more than one crop?
Sefior Villegas. The land that is subject to irrigation there can raise two crops.
Governor Taft. How much will, on the average, the first-class land produce? Do
you mean by first-class superior the class upon which two crops can be produced?
Sefior Villegas. Yes, sir; about 100 cavanes.
Governor Taft. As I understand the classification (I maybe mistaken in this),
you call first-class land that which produces above 80 cavanes, but if it produces two
crops a year you call it first-class superior?
Sefior Villegas. I do not make any difference whether it produces more than one
crop or not, but it is the annual production.
Governor Taft. What is superior first class?
Sefior Villegas. Land of 100 cavanes, more or less.
Governor Taft. What is that which you call first-class land?
Sefior Villegas. From 75 to 80 cavanes.
Governor Taft. What is second class and third class?
Sefior Villegas. Second class produces 50 to 60 cavanes, and third class 30 to 50.
Governor Taft. What is fourth and fifth class land?
Sefior Villegas. Fourth class is 20 to 25 cavanes, and fifth class less than 20 cavanes.
Governor Taft. You make about half of this estate, about 2,025 hectares, worth
160 REPOET OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION.
$25 a hectare. Why do you put it at $25 a hectare when you put uncultivated land
in the mountains in other haciendas at only $5 a hectare?
Senor Villegas. Because they are very clean and they could be easily cultivated.
Archbishop Guidi. I desire to call attention to the fact that in this estate, where
there are very few improvements, the witness has put the first-class land at even
more than he has in the other estates.
Governor Taft. I would like to suggest an answer to it. I did not understand at
first, and it shows the advantage of a constant discussion. I did not understand the
theory on which Sefior Villegas had gone in his estimate. But I think in answer
to the suggestion now, I can offer an explanation which I derive from his statements.
The theory of the witness, as I understand it, is that superior land — that is, that
which produces 100 cavanes to the hectare, within reasonable reach of the market —
is worth about 200 pesos a hectare. Now, it is said that because he estimates superior
land on one estate at 200 pesos which is not improved, and superior land on another
estate at 200 pesos which is improved, that thereby he shows that he gives no weight
to improvements. The explanation is this, as I understand it, justifying the action
of the witness: The Cavite estates, it is true, are all improved; the estate of Pandi has
very little improvement. Now, he does not apply the same standard to the estates as
estates. He varies the standard, not by varying the price of the superior land, but he
varies it by making a very small classification in the Pandi estate of superior land.
The advantage to the Cavite estates by reason of their improvements is in the very
large amount; in Naic all that is improved at all is classified as superior first-class
land. Therefore the variation in his estimates is shown in the total price of the
hacienda divided by the number of hectares. In other words, he makes his varia-
tion by the classification to allow for the improvements, and not by changing the
price of the superior land, the production of which is the same, whether it be by
reason of improvements or by its fortunate location by natural waters. For instance,
in this hacienda of Pandi, which consists of 12,000 hectares, only one-twelfth is
superior land; in Naic three-sevenths. The entire cultivated land by reason of those
improvements is classified as superior first-class lands. He has followed Sefior
Padre's view, that the product of the land determines its price and the product is
increased by the improvements. The more improvements you have the greater pro-
portion of your hacienda is made first-class land; and that is the way he allows,* if I
have understood his evidence, for the effect of the improvements.
Archbishop Guidi. From all this we deduce the fact that the value of the land
should be calculated upon the production as the basis of the valuation of it.
Governor Taft. I have been explaining what I understand to be the theory of
the witness in allowing for improvements. When it comes to stating the principle,
it seems to me, with deference to his excellency, the principle should be stated this
way: That land is worth, just as anything is worth, what it will bring, and that is
the rule of law, the rule of evidence. But suppose you do not have a market, sup-
pose land is not being sold, then you have got to take other means of finding what
the value is. Land is planted and used agriculturally for the profit that is made out
of it. Therefore when you go into the question of products you are furnishing a
reason why a man ought to be willing to pay for that land in order that he may
make the profit that the natural product will give him.
Archbishop Guidi. It is the seller that makes the opportunity for selling and that
makes rules whereby the sales should be made, and not the buyer.
Governor Taft. It is both the buyer and the seller.
Archbishop Guidi. But the seller" might say, "I will not sell."
Governor Taft. If you depend on the wish of the seller alone you would never get
any market reports at all. It is what the vendor and the buyer agree on. Both the
seller and the buyer are affected by the profit to be gathered* from the land. Actual
sales are the best evidence because they evidence an agreement between the vendor
and the buyer as to what the land is worth. If you get two opposite interests
agreeing, then you have got the best standard.
Archbishop Guidi. Certainly.
Governor Taft. But in the absence of those agreements we have got to do the best
we can.
Mr. McGeegoe. We have records of sales.
Governor Taft. Then bring them out. Here is the Toro estate of 58 hectares,
estimated at 150 pesos a hectare. Is that an improved estate?
Senor Villegas. No, sir; but it is good land.
Governor Taft. Is it in rice?
Senor Villegas. Yes; in a very good condition. I make it first-class land because
it is very low and convenient and easily cultivated.
Governor Taft. Here is Anget hacienda, 294 hectares, 260 hectares, at 125 pesos.
Do you make any difference in the value between rice and sugar?
EEPOET OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION. 161
Sefior Villegas. No, sir.
Governor Taft. Is this improved?
Sefior Villegas. It has no improvements, but it is land which produces a great
deal by being low.
Archbishop Guldi. How much does it produce?
Sefior Villegas. From 50 to 70 cavanes.
Sefior Gutierrez. In one year, then, the produce will be more than the value of
the land.
Governor Taft. Does it produce more than one crop?
Sefior Villegas. One crop onty.
Governor Taft. There is no facility for irrigating so as to make it?
Sefior Villegas. No, sir.
Governor Taft. How is it situated with reference to the market — to getting into
Manila, for instance?
Sefior Villegas. You can go by the river San Eafael, but it is a long way.
Governor Taft. How far is it from Manila?
Sefior Villegas. Leaving there in a loaded boat, it would take at least two days to
get to Manila.
Governor Taft. It is passable, however, all the year around, isn't it?
Sefior Villegas. In the dry season you can not pass through.
Governor Taft. Here is Dampol and Quingua, 962 hectares, one hacienda. What
kind of a hacienda is that?
Sefior Villegas. It has rice and sugar; mostly sugar and very little rice.
Governor Taft. Is that improved?
Sefior Villegas. No, sir.
Governor Taft. What kind of land is it? How many cavanes does it produce?
Sefior Villegas. Seventy to 80 cavanes; it is very low and flat.
Governor Taft. Is that an advantage?
Sefior Villegas. They are conditions which cause land to be richer.
Governor Taft. You estimate it at 150 pesos a hectare, and solares 60 hectares.
What are solares?
Sefior Villegas. Building grounds.
Governor Taft. You estimate them at 125 pesos a hectare. Is not that pretty small?
Sefior Villegas. No, sir.
Governor Taft. Is that near the the town of Quingua?
Sefior Villegas. It is the pueblo of Quingua?
Governor Taft. Here are eight parcels of land situated in the towns of Quingua,
Calumpit, Barasuain, Santa Ysabel, and Guiguinto, province of Bulacan. This is rice
and sugar land, 10 hectares, at $150 a hectare. At Calumpit, 74 hectares, at $150 a
hectare. At Barasuain, 54 hectares, at $154. Whv did you make that $154 instead
of 8150.
Sefior Villegas. It is probably a mistake; it should be $150.
Governor Taft. If you do not object, gentlemen, we will change it to $150. [Makes
the correction on the map accordingly.] Now, Dakela and Santa Ysabel, are they
the same kind of land?
Sefior Villegas. Yes, sir.
Governor Taft. And Alangelang? That you estimate is superior. Why?
Sefior Villegas. Because it raises 100 cavanes, more or less.
Archbishop Grim. How much is a cavan worth on the market to-day?
Sefior Villegas. I did not calculate on to-day's prices, but when I made the valua-
tion.
Governor Taft. What was it worth when you made the valuation?
Sefior Villegas. One and one-half pesos; that was the price on the ground. I do
not know what it was when brought to Manila. If a man needed money he would
even take 50 cents.
Governor Taft. Let us pass to Malapat, at 150 pesos a hectare. Is that the same
kind of land?
Sefior Villegas. The same as the others.
Governor Taft. Here is the Recoleto hacienda, 456 hectares. What kind of land
is that?
Sefior Villegas. The class that is mentioned there; 150 pesos.
Governor Taft. Did you survey the Lolomboy hacienda?
Sefior Villegas. I measured the part which is in the pueblo of Polo — two parcels.
Governor Taft. What is it, rich land?
Sefior Villegas. Yes, sir; that in Polo is.
Governor Taft. Take this part that is in Malanday. You have marked it all rice
land. What kind of rice land is it?
WAR 1903 — VOL 5 11
162 REPORT OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION.
Seilor Villegas. It produces 75 to 80 cavanes.
Governor Taft. These 65 hectares in Pasolo, within the town of Polo. What kind
of rice land is that?
Senor Villegas. The same as the other.
Governor Taft. What does it produce?
Sefior Villegas. Palay; 70 to 80 cavanes.
Governor Taft. And you put the price at $150. Is there any other land in Bula-
can than that which we have gone over which produces 100 cavanes a year, not
church property?
Senor Villegas. Yes, sir; there are other lands.
Governor Taft. Do you know whether there are any sales of that land?
Senor Villegas. I can not state.
Friar Martin. I would like to know if the Governor is in accord with the testi-
mony of Senor Villegas, and wherein you agree with his testimony.
Governor Taft. I do not know; I have no means, except through Senor Villegas
and other witnesses whom I call, of knowing what the value of the land is. I would
like to say, generally, this: That land like this, much of which has lain fallow for
four or five years during the disturbed condition of the country, land that can not
now be worked to advantage because of the absence of draft animals, land that lies
in a country where agriculture is so depressed, it seems to must necessarily be lower
in value than it was in 1896, or before that time. Another thing, were this land
offered to the public, to capitalists, I venture to say that there are few capitalists
that would go into it. On the other hand, I do not consider that it is the duty
of myself, representing the Government, or of the Commission, representing the
Government, to squeeze down the price on the theory that the land can not be
used by you at all, practically. What we desire to do is to get a just price. We think
if we give you a resonable price — reasonable not in the sense of what, if you were
obliged to sell, you could get from capitalists in the market, but a reasonable price,
excluding certain considerations that we are willing to exclude — that we are buying
ourselves a lawsuit that will occupy us for a good many years, and that we are reliev-
ing you from a great number of lawsuits that would occupy you for a great many
years, it is as much as you can expect of us. We know we are going to have a great
deal of trouble after we get the land, and yet we think that the trouble will be less
if we buy it from you, and we are entirely willing to pay what is a fair price. But, on
the other hand, I beg of you to consider that my constituents are not the people of
the United States, they are the people of the Philippine Islands, and in doing justice
to them I must avoid loading them with a burden, so far as I can, which would be
too heavy for them to bear; and if we can not agree on a price that seems to me
reasonable, my hands are tied, I must then let the thing work itself out the best way
it can. But I think if we both yield some we can come to an agreement. When we
make the agreement, if we reach it, it may take two or three months to get the
money, but we will pay in gold. What I would like to propose, unless I am told
that it will do no good, after we get all through the evidence that there is here and
after I have added up to see what it all comes to, is to make a lump proposition in
gold and then let you gentlemen, if you can, arrange the divisions among yourselves.
Friar Martin. That is impossible.
Sefior Gutierrez. It is impossible because the}'- are opposing interests.
Archbishop Guidi. You can set a price for each corporation.
Governor Taft. It would be easier to make it a lump sum, but I can possibly
arrange it in some other way. I do not know whether the Senor Padre wished to
invite that statement, but that is what I thought he wished me to discuss.
Friar Martin. Those observations were probably well taken, but I have some
objection to make to those statements of yours.
Governor Taft. With reference to the estimates of Senor Villegas, I do not care
to be bound by them. What I mean is, I might differ from Sefior Villegas. For
instance, I might think that his estimate on certain land is too low. I might think,
again, that the including in the estimate at all of the value of dams and that kind
of thing was an error; but what I am groping for — and I think it is the case with
his excellency, too — is light. I simply employed Senor Villegas because I under-
stood that he had experience. I did not tell him anything to do except to go and
make a survey and make an estimate on the land, and these are the results.
Friar Martin. In the first place, without considering the price, I desire to know
if you are satisfied with the measurement and the classification of Sefior Villegas.
Governor Taft. I have no other information on the subject.
Friar Martin. If you are not in accord with this, then it will be necessary to
measure them over again.
Governor Taft. I do not intend to bring any other evidence here at all on that
subject, and if you agree with this measurement then I agree.
REPORT OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION. 163
Friar Martin. I agree.
Senor Gutierrez. I desire to remark that from the hacienda of Lolomboy they
have taken away a thousand and some odd hectares. Surely it must be an error.
Governor Tapt. Isn't it in this way: Isn't it the fact that the hacienda of Lolom-
boy is surveyed in two different books?
Mr. McGregor. Yes; in the total, but not in the division of the land. He has
given us third-class land and no one else third-class land, and it strikes me that there
is third-class land on the other haciendas, I have no doubt-
Governor Taft. Senor Gutierrez, here is a parcel of Lolomboy, 106 hectares and
65 hectares; that is 171 hectares. Then there is 4,158 hectares.
Senor Gutierrez. I have 5,444, and according to this there is 4,329.
Governor Taft. All I can say about that is that the surveyor is not here, but I
will have him here.
Senor Gutierrez. I wished simply to call attention to the fact that there is a dif-
ference, and that difference can be settled, the land being all there.
Friar Martin. When you examined the lands belonging to the corporation which
I represent, the lands which you have put as cultivated, did you see yourself that
they were?
Senor Villegas. All that I have put as to the classification and the surface area is
just as I have found it.
Governor Taft. Do I understand the Senor Padre to agree to his survey and
classification?
Friar Martin. It is a very small difference, more or less. I desire to state that all
the lands that are called cultivated — I know they were cultivated last year when I
examined them.
Governor Taft. That is what I understand to be the fact.
Friar Martin. So that the production is calculated on the part that is cultivated.
Do you accept the production which Senor Villegas gives as that of these lands?
Governor Taft. I do. I have no other data.
Mr. McGregor. I would like to ask Senor Villegas why he has omitted, in valuing
the Imus property, to mention anything about the coffee lands.
Senor Villegas. I have seen no coffee growing there.
Mr. McGregor. There is a considerable area of coffee in sight of the hills, where I
have not been able to get to.
Senor Villegas. Perhaps the coffee trees have died.
Mr. McGregor. I have not seen them myself, but I know they are there.
Senor Villegas. I have considered all that part that I could not see cultivated as
uncultivated, and so classified it.
Mr. McGregor. You can hardly take coffee land as uncultivated land, although it
may have been allowed to grow to jungle.
Adjourned until March 6, 1903.
Continued from March 2, 1903.
Malacanan Palace, Manila, March 9, 1903.
Friar Martin. By the reading of the copies of the three conferences I received
last week, I have seen that the object of these conferences is the valuation of the
friars' lands. If that be true, I can not intervene in such a business, because I have
not a power of attorney from any of the religious orders to represent them here.
Governor Taft. You do not bind anybody by being here.
Friar Martin. On the other hand, I must say that from what I know and from what
I have heard from my friends, Mr. McGregor and Senor Gutierrez, all the estates,
object of the past conferences, do not belong to the friars. It is true that they pos-
sessed them formerly, but it is also true that at present these estates belong to one
of these three companies: Philippine Sugar, British Manila, and Compania Agricola
de Ultramar. This last I represent, and I am the chief agent of it in these islands.
My representation in these conferences is the representation of the Compania Agri-
cola de Ultramar, from which I have received a power of attorney in order to admin-
istrate or sell lands belonging to it. I have no other representation here. I would
like to call the attention of the governor to some other points, but I prefer leaving it
for the time when we have discussed everything relating to the haciendas, in order
to get more exact information of what was expressed in the three conferences
referred to.
Governor Taft. It makes no difference in what capacity you come, lam delighted
to see you here, and your knowledge of the conditions will doubtless assist us in
getting to some basis with reference to the valuation of lands; but whatever you say
or do in this matter won't bind anybody, whomever you represent or do not repre-
sent. The same is true of Senor Gutierrez, who represents the Philippine Sugar,
and Mr. McGregor, who represents the British Manila estates. When we closed
164 REPORT OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION.
we were on the Bulacan haciendas. Had you completed your questions about those,
Seilor Gutierrez?
Sefior Gutierrez. No, sir. At that time I had expressed my desire to continue
questioning and also making some remarks with respect to the eight haciendas in
which I am interested, but if the Governor desires it I can delay the matter until
some other time and then take up the matter of the eight haciendas.
Governor Tapt. I have been going over by provinces because I thought that more
convenient, but Sefior Gutierrez can take any course that he prefers.
Sefior Gutierrez. I believe it would be more advisable for me to take up the eight
haciendas.
Archbishop Guidi. It is better to take up the estates by orders, the Augustinians
first, then the Dominicans and Kecoletos.
Governor Taft. I think it was quite useful to take up the Cavite estates together;
it is easier to note their variation when we have them together than when we take
them up separately. Here are the Calamba estates of the Dominicans. What is the
name of it?
Seiior Gutierrez. San Juan Bautista, generally known as the Calamba. We will
begin with Santa Rosa. Ask Sefior Villegas if he surveyed and examined the
hacienda of Santa Rosa.
Sefior Villegas. It was surveyed by an Assistant of mine, but under my super-
vision.
Governor Taft. What is the character of the estate? Is it improved or otherwise?
Sefior Villegas. There are a few small dams.
Governor Taft. What is the character of the land?
Sefior Villegas. It is broken ground.
Governor Taft. There is some sugar land and also some rice land on the property.
Is there any first-class superior land?
Sefior Villegas. There are some superior lands and some first-class lands, as shown
in the statement here. The character of the lands I would place a little above the
first-class lands and a little below the superior lands.
Governor Taft. What do they produce?
Sefior Villegas. The first-class land produces from 80 to 90 cavanes per hectare.
Governor Taft. Does it lie right on the lake shore?
Sefior Villegas. It is situated right on the Laguna de Bay.
Governor Taft. So that gives them transportation to Manila, does it?
Sefior Villegas. By casco or banca navigation; yes, sir.
Governor Taft. How many miles is it?
Sefior Villegas. A little over three hours by steamer.
Governor Taft. Is there any method over the estate itself? Can bancas go in the
streams on the estate?
Sefior Villegas. No, sir. It has to be hauled.
Governor Taft. How are the roads?
Sefior Villegas. The roads are only in a fair state.
Governor Taft. You place 1,000 hectares as worth 175 pesos a hectare, 1,300
hectares at 150 pesos, and 130 hectares at 100 pesos. Is that all rice land?
Sefior Villegas. Yes sir.
Governor Taft. Then you give 1,010 hectares of sugar land at $150 and 1,300
hectares of second-class land at 100; also sugar land. And you value the casa of
the hacienda at $25,000. Is it a good house?
Sefior Villegas. The house is a pretty good house, but it suffered somewhat
during the war between Spain and the Philippines, so that it is not in a very good
state of repair. However, on the whole, it might be said to be in a fairly good
condition.
Governor Taft. You estimate the total value of the hacienda at $700,000 Mexican?
Sefior Villegas. Yes, sir.
Sefior Gutierrez, I would like to ask Sefior Villegas what basis he used for his
judgment in the valuation of these lands? Have you valued them in accordance with
sales of land of similar character made in the neighborhood of Santa Rosa?
Sefior Villegas. I have valued them according to the nature and the value of the
crop wrhich they produce, and, furthermore, in accordance with the sales of lands
which have been made in the pueblos of the province of La Laguna.
Sefior Gutierrez. From what you state it appears that you have made these valua-
tions in accordance with the sales of lands that have taken place in the neighborhood
of other pueblos in La Laguna, and further, that the first-class lands yield from 80
to 90 cavanes per hectare. From this it appears that the value of the crop of the
lands is greater than the value placed on the lands themselves, and I consider this
preposterous.
Sefior Villegas. In stating the profit to be from 80 to 90 cavanes I did not mean
MPOKT OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION. 165
as a regular annual yield. That is what the lands are capable of producing under
the most favorable circumstances, but this can not be taken as a basis by itself for
the valuation of the land, because it is not the basis for a steady income. It is more
or less subject to conditions and circumstances and it is only lately that the price of
palay has risen. It is subject to fluctuations, and, indeed, the price will be lower in
the future.
Governor Taft. Are there any lands rented in that neighborhood from others than
these companies?
Senor Villegas. ■ The people of Santa Rosa have told me that those lands belong
to the pueblo.
Governor Taft. What I want to ask is, what is the ordinary division of crops
between the landlord and the tenant in Laguna, for rental ?
Senor Villegas. One-half.
Governor Taft. Does that include lending or furnishing of carabaos by the land-
lord?
Senor Villegas. Yes, sir.
Governor Taft. Suppose they do not furnish any carabaos and do not furnish any
seed, what is the division then?
Senor Villegas. It is according to agreement in that case, but it sometimes
happens that capitalists will furnish only carabaos while the tenant is obliged to
furnish the seed.
Senor Gutierrez. I wish to state that the witness is in error with regard to this
matter. I myself have been an agriculturist and know what I am talking about.
The custom in the Visayan Islands is to split the crop in halfs, one half going to
the landlord and the other half to the tenant, the landlord furnishing nothing but
the land. But in the case of sugar the landlord further takes the tenant's cane and
grinds it for him and then they divide the sugar between them. In Luzon it was
the custom to give two-thirds to the landlord and one-third to the tenant.
Governor Taft. That is not my information.
Senor Gutierrez. I have been thirty-six years in the Philippines and a great
portion of that time a farmer, and I can show examples.
Governor Taft. I will call a wdtness on that subject who, long as the experience
of Senor Gutierrez is, has had more experience, in that he has owned a larger estate.
My impression is (of course I have no knowledge except what I gain) that in certain
parts of Luzon (of course they may vary in other parts) the division is just half,
whether carabaos are furnished or not. Senor Gonzales owns as large an estate as
any of these, and he charged 10 per cent of the crop.
Senor Gutierrez. But that is an insolated case. I can cite a case of the Frailes
where they only charged 5 per cent.
Archbishop Guidi. That simply goes to demonstrate that there is no fixed rule.
It simply depends on the agreement between the land owner and tenant.
Governor Taft. But if you get all the agreements together then you are able to
determine something of what ought to be the rent. The friars were the largest
landlords in the islands and they only charged 10 per cent, and sometimes, as they
say, 5; and then you get Gonzales, who is I suppose the next largest proprietor in the
islands, or one of the largest, and he only charges 5 per cent.
Senor Gutierrez. That is true, but the case of Senor Gonzales is easily accounted
for when you know that his lands are uncultivated lands and his lands only date
from about the year 1860. He is a man, you might say, of yesterday only, and he
wTould naturally wTish to have his land cleared and put into a state so that it could
be cultivated. Tuason charges here at Santa Mesa a tax of 6 cents, Mexican, for
each square meter a year.
Governor Taft. I will call Tuason and see what he charges. Santa Mesa is in the
city, isn't it?
Senor Gutierrez. Yes, sir.
Governor Taft. What does he charge in the Mariquina Valley?
Senor Gutierrez. I have not investigated; I can not say.
Governor Taft. Mariquina would be a much fairer standard to judge by than
Santa Mesa, which is right here within the street-railway limits. For instance, they
want $400,000 gold for this land of Warner-Barnes & Co., but that gets its value not
because of the rice it raises (if, indeed, it raises any rice), but it gets its value because
just as soon as there is an electric street railway it is bound to be the best land in
Manila for suburban residences; and so it is with Santa Mesa.
Archbishop Guidi. I would ask, then, that the same judgment be taken into
account with regard to the lands wmich we are dealing with that are within a munici-
pality.
Governor Taft. Certainly. Let me state the proposition, to see whether his excel-
lency agrees with me. Any land that is useful for the construction of urban or sub-
166 REPORT OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION.
urban residences within a reasonable time has necessarily a value for that purpose
as distinguished from the value that it ought to have for the raising of crops; but when
you get land out here in Santa Rosa, there is no probability that Manila is ever going
to reach out to Santa Rosa, or that anyone is going to build suburban residences there,
and that has to be valued according to its agricultural character. The same applies
to the Cavite estates.
Archbishop Guidi. Certainly. It was simply a general observation which I made,
and which I wanted to make for the consideration of Sefior Villegas; for, if you will
remember, I asked the question at the beginning whether he had taken it into due
consideration in his valuation of these lands — those lands which were within the
urban zone, or which were suitable to go within an urban zone, and those lands
which were purely agricultural.
Governor Taft. As yet we have not considered any lands that were within an
urban zone; at least, I do not remember.
Archbishop Guidi. It is true I have not asked him particularly that question, but
simply in a general way, and a question (which, by the way, Sefior Villegas did not
answer) whether he had taken into consideration in making this assessment those
lands which were within an urban zone and those which were purely agricultural
lands. I simply wished to make this general question in order afterwards to make
the more particular questions. I will now ask Senor Villegas again if he has taken
into consideration lands within an urban zone and lands outside the urban zone.
Sefior Villegas. Yes, sir; I have.
Archbishop Guidi. Further on I will discuss which were urban lands and which
were not urban lands.
Sefior Villegas. With regard to the question of the obligations of the tenant
toward the landlord in the case of one of these haciendas, it was the general rule for
the tenant to give for each cavan of seed that had been furnished to him 5 or 6 ca vanes
of palay and from 6 to 8 pesos in money.
Senor Gutierrez. With regard to Sefior Villegas' s statement of the improvements
on this hacienda, I should like to say that there is on this hacienda a ditch a kilo-
meter and a half in length, besides smaller ditches of 13,000 meters in length. With
regard to the valuation of the house, if it was offered to me for $30,000 I would take
it immediately. There is also a warehouse that is situated in the neighborhood of
the house that is worth $10,000, which Sefior Villegas has not taken into account at
all. There is also another fine house on the estate, a magnificent house, which is
outside of the town itself, of which no mention is made by Sefior Villegas. He has
also valued the sugar land at much less than the palay land, and yet we all know
that the sugar land is worth a great deal more than palay land.
Sefior Villegas. I do not agree with Sefior Gutierrez, because the rice lands are
situated almost on the lake shore, while the sugar lands are situated away up in the
uplands.
Sefior Gutierrez. You can say what you like about the matter, but everybody
knows that the sugar land is worth a great deal more than the rice land. The fact
of sugar land being on the uplands is in accordance with the nature of sugar land.
Sugar land needs these conditions to be sugar land — it must be on high ground.
Sefior Villegas. I have taken into consideration the difficulty of transporting the
sugar cane from these high lands to the pueblo, which is very costly; and, furthermore,
these lands are not very good lands for the cultivation of sugar.
Sefior Gutierrez. Sefior Villegas' s classification of the land demonstrates, to my
mind, that the land must be very valuable for the cultivation of sugar. However,
the land has been classified by Sefior Villegas as sugar land, and it is in sugar, and it
would be certainly very foolish to plant sugar on half of the land of this estate, taking
into consideration the cost of planting sugar cane, if it were not suitable for sugar and
suitable only for palay.
Sefior Villegas. With regard to the valuation that I have made of those lands, it
is in accordance with the actual product of the land.
Sefior Gutierrez. How many pilons of sugar a hectare does the land produce?
Sefior Villegas. From 25 to 30 pilons a hectare.
Sefior Gutierrez. How much is each pilon worth?
Sefior Villegas. The price varies.
Sefior Gutierrez. Furthermore, Sefior Villegas has not taken into consideration
the urban zone of Santa Rosa in this estate, and I know that the town of Santa Rosa
is quite a good town.
Sefior Villegas. I have taken it into account in the classification of first-class
lands, for the superior class lands, and the town lots are about equal in value.
Sefior Gutierrez. I can not agree with you that town lots are of the same value as
first-class or superior lands.
REPORT OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION. 167
Seiior Villegas. Town lots in provincial towns are not worth as much as in
Manila.
Sefior Gutierrez. That is true. Seiior Villegas also states that the communication
between the hacienda and the outside is not good, but I can state that the entire
hacienda fronts upon the lake shore and has easy communication.
Seilor Villegas. I have recognized the fact that some of the land lies on the lake
shore, and for that reason I have valued it as first-class, superior land.
Archbishop Guidi. hi order to demonstrate the difference of opinion there is with
regard to the value of land, the agent of the Augustinian nuns has been offered a
peso and a half a square meter for their lands, and they have refused it.
Governor Taft. But that is suburban property; the electric street railway is bound
to go right there.
Archbishop Guidi. The Santa Clara nuns have also been offered a very high price
for their estate.
Governor Taft. Now, about Calamba. Is that sugar or rice land?
Seiior Villegas. Both sugar and rice.
Governor Taft. There are 16,424 hectares in the estate.
Seiior Gutierrez. Yes, more or less; that is about right.
Governor Taft. You have estimated that of first-class land there are 3,991 hectares;
883 hectares of second-class, and 883 of third-class lands. Also 4,626 hectares of
sugar land which you estimate at 60 pesos a hectare, and 6,036 hectares of unculti-
vated lands. The hacienda house you place at 15,000 pesos, making the total value
of the estate §1,102,000.
Seiior Villegas. Yes, sir.
Governor Taft. Is this on the lake?
Sefior Villegas. Yes, sir.
Governor Taft. Is the soil good?
Seiior Villegas. Yes, sir.
Governor Taft. How many hours is it from Manila?
Sefior Villegas. The steamer leaving here at 7 o'clock in the morning will reach
there about 1 o'clock the same afternoon; that is, after making all stops.
Governor Taft. Is it improved?
Seiior Villegas. There are a few improvements.
Governor Taft. It has the main road to Batangas and Lipa running through it,
hasn't it?
Seiior Villegas. Yes, sir.
Governor Taft. There seem to be a good many rivers and streams running through
the estate.
Sehor Villegas. Yes, sir; but they are not navigable streams. The San Juan
Eiver is navigable, however, up to the pueblo of Calamba.
Governor Taft. Are there any dams in the streams?
Seiior Villegas. Yes, sir.
Governor Taft. Are they used in irrigating the land?
Seiior Villegas. Those rivers which have dams are used for the irrigation of land.
Governor Taft. How much do the first-class lands produce here of rice?
Sefior Villegas. In good seasons, first-class rice lands produce from 70 to 80
ca vanes in this hacienda; the lands lying along the shore of the bay.
Governor Taft. Where is the sugar land?
Seiior Villegas. Through the wooded uplands.
Governor Taft. I see you have estimated this sugar land as considerably less in
value than in Santa Rosa. Why have you made that distinction?
Sefior Villegas. Because the sugar land in this estate is away back in the woods,
almost up in the foothills of the mountains.
Governor Taft. Does that produce as much sugar cane as the land in Santa Rosa
per hectare?
Sefior Villegas. No, sir; these sugar lands produce comparatively little.
Governor Taft. About this house, is it in good condition?
Seiior Villegas. Yes, sir.
Governor Taft. Is it a large house?
Sefior Villegas. No, sir; it is a medium-sized house.
Governor Taft. You have estimated its value as $15,000?
Sefior Villegas. Yes, sir.
Governor Taft. You put the valuation of 5 pesos a hectare on uncultivated lands
for the same reason, I presume, that you did in other cases?
Seiior Villegas. Yes, sir.
Sefior Gutierrez. You have stated that the first-class rice lands produce from 70
to 80 ca vanes a year. What do the second-class rice lands produce?
Seiior Villegas. From 65 to 75 cavanes only.
168 EEPOET OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION.
Sen or Gutierrez. How much do the third-class lands produce?
Senor Villegas. From 45 to 55 cavanes a year.
Sen or Gutierrez. How many piculs of sugar will one hectare of sugar- land produce?
Senor Villegas. From 15 to 20.
Senor Gutierrez. It produces over 100.
Senor Villegas. But you must take into consideration that in planting sugar land
one-half of the hectare is always left idle — that is, one-half cultivated in one year
and one-half left fallow until the next year.
Senor Gutierrez. So that you have given me the production of one-half of a
hectare instead of one hectare?
Senor Villegas. No; I have given the production of one hectare because I have
taken into consideration that a hectare that is put to seed this year, next year lies
idle; so that I take the average per year.
Archbishop Guidi. You must not take it as a fact that the land would be allowed
to lie idle, because if it was planted to sugar cane one year, the next year instead of
being allowed to lie idle it would be planted to corn or any other crop, which would
be worth something.
Senor Villegas. I simply took into consideration the value of the land with rela-
tion to its productivity in sugar.
Archbishop Guidi. You should not do so; you should also take into consideration
its productivity in other crops.
Senor Villegas. That would be a small affair.
Senor Gutierrez. With regard to the sugar lands in the estate of Calamba — they
are of such strong soil that it is necessary that they be cultivated for a long succession
of years before they can give a good quality of sugar. At the present time they do not
give a good quality of sugar, but it is not necessary to let them lie idle at the present
time. They ought to be cultivated every year for a succession of years.
Senor Villegas. But it is the general custom in this country where the palay is
sown to the land one year and then the straw is burned off, that year they are
allowed to lie idle for another year before they are seeded again.
Senor Gutierrez. But that is not the normal condition of these islands. What
you refer to is simply those lands which have been recently cleared and which are
cultivated by the people in the mountains. It may be that they will cultivate them
one year and allow them to lie idle, but lands that are under constant cultivation are
cultivated one crop one year and cultivated to another the next year. It is the same
way here as in Porto Rico, Cuba, or anywhere else.
Governor Taft. I thought they planted sugar lands and went right on growing
sugar for four or five years before they had to renew the cane.
Senor Gutierrez. That is in some points true, but in other points it is not.
Governor Taft. How about the island of Negros?
Senor Gutierrez. At Hog, in Negros — a place which I know very well — they cul-
tivated cane for a period of seven years without making new plantings.
Governor Taft. What is sugar land in Negros worth?
Senor Gutierrez. I do not know, but it is worth a good deal of money.
Governor Taft. Is it worth 200 pesos a hectare?
Senor Gutierrez. Yes, sir; I should think so.
Governor Taft. It is not worth from 100 to 150. How much is that of Lacson
worth? That is as good as there is.
Senor Gutierrez. I do not know what Lacson' s hacienda is worth. I did know
what he paid for it but I have forgotten.
Governor Taft. The sugar land in Negros, along on the coast there, has very easy
communication with Iloilo, hasn't it?
Senor Gutierrez. But our communication is ever so much easier.
Governor Taft. Yes; but they have small vessels that run all the time there,
haven't they, right across to Iloilo?
Sen or Gutierrez. Yes, sir. Lacson' s hacienda runs right down to the shore, and
his lorchas run right up and take the sugar from the little railroad that he has on the
shore.
Governor Taft. Sugar land there produces a good deal more than sugar land here,
does it not?
Senor Gutierrez. No, sir; it is better sugar, but much less. It is possible that the
land is very much easier cultivated in occidental Negros. I know that it gives a
better quality of sugar, but it gives a very much smaller crop— that is, land that is
worn-out down there.
Governor Taft. Some of it is, but I mean good land in Negros situated conven-
iently toward Iloilo. Is there any of it that is worth more than 200 pesos a hectare,
by estates?
Senor Gutierrez. I do not know because I do not own any of the land; but I think
REPOKT OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION". l69
it is possible that you could find sugar lands worth that much in Negros, because
Negros is a very large island and very thinly populated.
Governor Taft. What I want to know is, why, if first-class sugar land in Negros
is worth generally not 200 pesos but 150, this should be worth five and six and seven
hundred pesos?
Seiior Gutierrez. For the same reason that in Pampanga land is worth from 600
to 800 pesos a hectare where the same lands in Tarlac are worth 30 to 40 pesos a
hectare. In Pampanga, there is a very thick population. Tarlac is very thinly
inhabited and what they desire there is that new colonists come and cultivate the
land.
Governor Taft. Then you do not judge wholly by the product in ascertaining the
value of the land?
Seiior Gutierrez. In Pampanga and other places the value of the land depends
upon the demand for it. In our haciendas which have been long opened up and
which are surrounded by a thick population, the people there have to buy the prod-
ucts of the land; consequently it is worth more.
Governor Taft. In Negros the gross product in many years is worth as much as
the land is worth, so that it does not show that an estimate is necessarily absurd of
the value of the land because it may not exceed the gross product of the land.
Seiior Gutierrez. When you deal with a hacienda that is cultivated, an old,
established hacienda like this, then it is absurd.
Governor Taft. These lands in Negros have been cultivated for a long time. You
stated that some of the land was cultivated so long that it was thinned.
Archbishop Guidi. They are lands that have been cultivated for a number of years
and that have been abandoned.
Governor Taft. In Negros?
Archbishop Guidi. In some parts of Negros.
Governor Taft. But these lands, some of them — in Santa Rosa, for instance — have
been cultivated for hundreds of years, according to Sefior Gutierrez. Have they ever
been manured? *
Sefior Gutierrez. I do not know.
Governor Taft. The fact is that none of this land has ever received additions to
its strength by artificial means?
Sefior Gutierrez. I believe not.
Governor Taft. Does the land become exhausted gradually from cultivation of
sugar?
Sefior Gutierrez. Yes, sir; with the cultivation of everything.
Governor Taft. Then these lands, which are so old, have been cultivated a long
time, haven't they; so that they do not produce as much as if they were fresh lands?
Sefior Gutierrez. That is true.
Governor Taft. Then why should they be more valuable from the point of pro-
duction than the manured land of Negros, for instance?
Sefior Gutierrez. It is not precisely from their productivity that their values are
increased, but from their proximity to a central market, from the ease with which
they are worked, from the large supply of workingmen which they can draw upon
to cultivate, and from the fact that they are all actually under cultivation.
Governor Taft. Now, we have got back to what I wished to show, and that was
that the value of your land depends on what it will bring in the market, what people
will pay for it; that the productivity of the land is only one circumstance, and the
fact that it produces $150 in a year, gross, is only one circumstance to show what its
value may be, and that it may be worth no more than the gross production of one
year.
Sefior Gutierrez. I can never admit that latter statement. ,
Governor Taft. You just admitted to me that there was land in Negros that pro-
duced 8150 a year and was not worth more than $150.
Sefior Gutierrez. Yes; but the trouble is that there is no demand for those lands
in Negros. In Paragua there are similar lands.
Governor Taft. That is just what I say; it depends on the lands.
Sefior Gutierrez. Yes; but the uncultivated land is more subject to fluctuations
than cultivated land.
Governor Taft. I am speaking about cultivated land in Negros. That is what I
understood you to refer to — cultivated sugar land that will produce $150 a year and
yet is not worth more than S150.
Sefior Gutierrez. With respect to cultivated lands in Negros, such as you refer to,
if they do produce 150 pesos a hectare, I can not conceive of anybody wanting to sell
them 'for that sum. It is impossible that anybody should wish to sell for that sum
or less than that sum.
Governor Taft. I understood you to admit a while ago (possibly I am wrong
170 REPORT OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION.
about it) that the gross production of land frequently is equal for one year, or even
greater, than the land itself sold in the market.
Senor Gutierrez. No, sir.
Archbishop Guidi. Friar Martin is probably correct in this matter that Senor
Gutierrez speaks about, of lands that are capable of producing 150 pesos a year; that
there is a possibility that they have all the elements necessary to produce, if prop-
erly cultivated, 150 pesos a year, but that owing to certain conditions and circum-
stances, like lack of labor or isolated position, long way from a market, etc., they are
unable to bring out their entire productivity, that is, to be cultivated to their fullest
extent; and in that case such lands may be sold at less than what they are capable
of producing in one year. But I do not believe that lands that actually do pro-
duce 150 pesos a year could be sold for anything less than that sum. To give a con-
crete example: There are certain lands around Rome that are cabable of great pro-
ductivity, but they have gone begging in the market; nobody would buy that land
on account of malarial fevers around there. Lately they have found a method of
combatting these fevers and the price of these lands has gone up wonderfully.
Formerly, of course, nobody would risk his life to go out and cultivate those lands,
although it was known that the lands were capable of great production. Since they
have discovered a way of defending themselves against the attacks of the mosquitos
by living in mosquito-proof houses, the value of those lands around the Campana of
Rome has gone up from 20 cents a square meter to 200 and 300 francs a hectare.
That is simply owing to the different conditions surrounding them.
Governor Taft. I agree to what his excellency says, but I still wish to stick to the
point that I am trying to make, and that is, that if you tell me that land is cultivated
and produces $150 gross receipts a year, you only give me one circumstance in
determining what the value of that land is, and that that may be so affected by
other circumstances as to make the value of the land no more than the gross product
in one year. Those are, first, the expenses — the cost of labor, the question of getting
labor at all, the danger from locusts, the difficulty of getting carabaos, and a thou-
sand and one circumstances, especially in the Tropics, that affect the net product
from that gross product; and then, you add to that what is usually required as in the
Tropics or in the community as a fair dividend or a fair percentage of income on
your capital, which, I understand, in this community is from 20 to 30 per cent of
the capital; so that it would be very easy to produce 150 pesos gross and then cut
down the expenses and show that the net product was no more than would be the
reasonable income on that land.
Mr. McGregor. That is a tremendous interest, governor.
Governor Taft. I can call every business man in Manila and show that he would
not go into agriculture if he could not get at least 20 per cent. I mean invest capi-
tal and buy land.
Mr. McGregor. Because they are not people who care to do it.
Archbishop Guidi. But relatively the production of the land has also increased,
that is, relatively with the expenses. As the circumstances have become more risky
and as capital has become dearer, so the production of the land has increased in pro-
portion, so that to-day the production of the land, we will say, that used to yield
$150 is now very much greater. Relatively in proportion to the expenses it is just as
great. For instance, palay is worth a great deal more now than it was before. The
cultivator never loses; it is the consumer who pays for all that. The people who
are obliged to go to market to buy rice for food have to pay for the losses of the land-
owner, but the landowner will always get his interest on his money.
Governor Taft. That is not my understanding, and 1 venture to say that if you
go through the landowners of these islands you will find that none of them have
made fortunes.
Archbishop Guidi. The only way you can gauge the value of the land is by the
products.
Governor Taft. That is only one circumstance.
Archbishop Guidi. I think that is the principal circumstance.
Governor Taft. Let us see how much palay has come up in price. Ask Senor
Villegas what the old price of palay was on the hacienda.
Senor Villegas. I have known, when I was a young man, rice to sell from 3 to 4
reals a cavan. It went to a dollar, from that it went to $2.20, from that it has gone
up until it is now $3.50.
Governor Taft. When did it go to $2.20?
Senor Villegas. In 1901 and 1902.
Archbishop Guidi. Now I will ask, why has rice gone up? I will answer the
question myself. It is because the landowner, the farmer, calculates what it has
cost him to raise the rice. He calculates every penny that lie has invested in the
cultivation of this rice until he gets it into the warehouse and the market, and then
KEPOPT OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION. 171
on top of that he adds what he thinks a just interest on his capital, and he sells it at
that price on the market, so that he loses nothing.
Governor Taft. I venture to differ totally from his excellency. He sells his rice
for what he can get for it in the market, and that market is determined by what they
can import rice for from Saigon and Bangkok and from other ports. It is determined
by the demand and the supply. He does not make the calculation and it does not
do any good to make the calculation, because he has got to sell the rice for what he
can get for it.
Archbishop Gutdi. We were speaking, however, of the price upon the land
itself, for local consumption.
Senor Yillegas. I was speaking of the market here in Manila.
Governor Taft. "What is it on the hacienda?
Senor Yillegas. In Paluan in 1901 I was able to purchase it a $1 a cavan.
Governor Taft. Is the carabao necessary for the cultivation of rice.
Seiior Yillegas. Yes, sir; it can not be cultivated without the carabao.
Governor Taft. What is the value of the carabao to-day in the market, anywhere,
as compared with what it was three or four years ago?
Senor Yillegas. Formerly you could get a carabao for from 30, 40, or 50, some-
times at the very dearest at 60, pesos a head, but to-day you can not buy a carabao
in the market anywhere for less than 150.
Governor Taft. In other words, the price of carabaos has trebled ?
Senor Yillegas. Yes, sir, and even more.
Governor Taft. What is the "jornal" or daily wages in these provinces about
Manila for farm laborers ?
Senor Yillegas. Fifty cents Mexican a day in the provinces. Formerly it was 25
cents.
Governor Taft. In some of the provinces has it not increased to 60 and 70 cents
Mexican ?
Archbishop Guidi. Perhaps 25 cents formerly was of greater value than 60 cents
to-day.
Governor Taft. I am speaking only of Mexican, and that is the standard here.
Archbishop Guidi. But it is a great mistake that we have not yet gotten out of, in
regard to the value of the Mexican money to-day and the Mexican money of former
years.
Governor Taft. But we are dealing altogether with Mexican money to-day. The
price of carabaos, the price of rice, and the price of the "jornal " is Mexican.
Archbishop Guidi. I agree with you. I know that in your mind you have the
Mexican money, but Senor Yillegas does not understand you, but he understands
that the peso is' the peso of Spain.
Governor Taft. They never had any money here but the Mexican peso. It was
a dollar in silver with the Mexican stamp on it, and that may have varied in value
and may have been worth in gold 100 cents at one time and 75 cents at another, and
50 cents at another, and 40 cents as it is to-day; but what I am speaking of is the
value in Mexican, whatever that was worth in gold. That standard may have varied,
but these people only knew the Mexican dollar; that is all they knew. That may
have varied in gold, and the fact that it varied in gold may have increased the price
in gold, but I am speaking of that standard, however varied that standard was.
Archbishop Guidi. The standard as applied in actual practice during this length of
time works out in this way, that the article which was worth one Mexican dollar at
that time is now worth two or three at the present time.
Governor Taft. As I conceive, what we have got to do in reaching the value of
this property is to determine what that property is estimated to be worth by the
people who are in a position to buy and in a position to work that land. It is by the
demand, and the demand, as Senor Gutierrez says, is determined by the tenants who
are around and who want the land. Now they who form the value and the demand
have no other standard, whether it varies or not; they had no other standard except
the silver Mexican dollar in the last twenty-five years. It is true, I have no doubt,
that the fact that this Mexican dollar has gone down in gold has so affected values,
unconsciously to these people, that the value of the land and the value of other
things has increased in Mexican. The only way we can reach the value of these
lands in gold is to determine their value in Mexican in the demand of those people who
pay in Mexican and estimate in Mexican and then ourselves, because we go according
to value in gold, reduce the Mexican value to a gold value according to the variation
between gold and silver at the time that we make the purchase.
Archbishop Guidi. That means that the purchaser determines the price of the
land.
Governor Taft. No; the seller also.
Archbishop Guidi. The great thing for us to find out is, if these people value $200
172 REPORT OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION.
to-day in Mexican as its actual value to-day, or the $200 they have known it in times
past, that is the difficulty.
Governor Taft. What we are discussing now, first, is the demand, and then the
effect that the production in Mexican ought to have on the value and in demonstrat-
ing what that demand is. We have here the gross production in Mexican; we have
the expenses in Mexican, to wit, we have the cost of the carabao, the cost of the seed,
the cost of the labor, and the production, in Mexican, and we have also what is the
understood income or per cent of income that is required by capitalists in the islands.
That does not necessitate our going into gold at all, because we have every element
in silver — silver as it is estimated by the people to-day.
Archbishop Guidi. My mind refuses to believe that a carabao can be worth as
much to-day as a hectare of ground.
Governor Taft. But it is. I can get hectares of ground that are worth just a
third of what the carabaos are worth.
Senor Gutierrez. The price that Senor Villegas has placed on the carabao is
about correct — 150 to 200 pesos even; but this does not show that the land ought to
be worth that. If the carabao is worth that much the land ought to be worth a
good deal more.
Governor Taft. No; it is because the carabaos have disappeared; the land is still
here.
Seiior Gutierrez. That is an accident.
Governor Taft. It is an accident that is bound to last for a number of years.
Then you have surra that has already destroyed 50 per cent of the horses.
(Adjourned until March 11, 1903.)
Continued from March 9, 1903, fifth session.
Malacanan Palace, Manila, March 11, 1903.
Senor Gutierrez. I should like to know if Seiior Villegas, upon making the sur-
vey of the Calamba estate and placing the value thereon, took into consideration the
fact that there are coffee lands and hemp lands on the property?
Senor Villegas. I have seen no coffee lands on the property nor have I seen any
abaca lands. There is a very small amount of hemp land.
Senor Gutierrez. Senor Villegas also omits to take into account such important
improvements in the hacienda of Calamba as the large dam and the smaller dams,
22 kilometers of ditching with new bridges, 2 kilometers of ditching of masonry, and
a tubular siphon of iron, 24 meters long by 1 meter in diameter, which is placed at the
bottom of the river and which is a very costly work of masonry. Neither has he
taken into account three warehouses of masonry for the purification of the water, of
512 cubic meters capacity each, all of which is for irrigating the zone of cultivable
land of said hacienda. Nor has he taken into account six machines with all their
accessories, as well as other warehouses and sugar mills. All these improvements
have cost over $400,000 gold.
Senor Villegas. I have taken into account, as will be shown in my estimate of
the value of the property, all the small dams that there are on the property at the
present time and have valued them in accordance with their present state of repair.
Senor Gutierrez. So, as I understand you, you simply valued the smaller dams,
but all the other irrigation improvements you have not taken into consideration, nor
have you taken into consideration the warehouses and the mill on the property.
Senor Villegas. I did not take into consideration all of the other improvements
in connection with the dams and ditching because I thought that they were merely
accessories to the general irrigation works on the property, and as far as machinery
is concerned I did not know but that it was private property, as the property is
rented out to private tenants; and it must also be taken into account what kind of
machinery you refer to. If it is milling machinery, then it does not belong to the
hacienda and is not a part of the hacienda.
Senor Gutierrez. In the valuation which I have the small dams do not appear,
nor do the large dams, and as far as the machinery is concerned, that belongs to the
property. There are seven machines on the property, all of them in warehouses.
Senor Villegas. According to the information I got from the presidente and the
leading men of Calamba, I understood that all of that machinery and improvements
were constructed by and were the property of the tenants.
Senor Gutierrez. That is not true. All of the improvements on the hacienda
belong to the hacienda and were made by the owners of the hacienda.
Senor Villegas. In the plan itself I have shown the portion which is legally
acknowledged to be the property of the friars and shown the other which is not
recognized as the property of the friars.
Senor Gutierrez. Who has told you which was the part that belonged to the
friars legally and which did not belong to the friars?
KEPOKT OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION. 173
Sefior Villegas. In making the survey of this land I have shown on the map that
part which is legally recognized by the principales of Calamba as the legal property
of the friars, and I have also designated that part of the land which the principales
of Calamba say has been usurped by the friars. I have gone over and measured from
monument to monument, taking in all of the monuments in that land; that is to say,
the land which is legally recognized as belonging to the friars and that land which
is said to have been usurped.
Archbishop Guidi. Have you seen the title deeds, or how did you determine which
part of the land had been usurped and which part was that of the friars legally
acknowledged?
Sefior Villegas. I have not seen the title deeds to the lands, but I have simply,
at the request of the principales and the presidente of Calamba, drawn this line out
on the plan in order to show which land was legally recognized as the property of the
friars.
Governor Taft. What do the monuments consist of?
Sefior Villegas. They are pillars of stone and masonry.
Archbishop Guidi. The only way to draw these boundaries is with the title deeds
in your hands and then run the lines between the monuments.
Governor Taft. Were there any marks on this space that the presidente and coun-
cilors said was admitted to belong to the friars?
Sefior Villegas. No, sir.
Governor Taft. Then you just made that from their statement, did you?
Sefior Villegas. Yes, sir.
Governor Taft. Didn't they admit that the friars had been in possession of all
this property?
Sefior Villegas. Yes, sir; they acknowledged they have had and still have pos-
session, but they say it was usurped by them.
Governor Taft. How long have they had possession, did they admit?
Sefior Villegas. I believe that I myself was the bearer of a communication from
the principales of Calamba to Sefior Legarda with regard to this matter.
Governor Taft. What did that communication say?
Sefior Villegas. The communication stated that from time to time these boundary
monuments had been moved.
Governor Taft. Did it not appear by their admission that the friars had been in-
possession of this property from fifty to one hundred years?
Sefior Villegas. I believe it is a long time. The communication states the time
upon which the boundary monuments were moved.
Archbishop Guidi. It is a useless question.
Governor Taft. I want to get at actual possession, because actual possession in
certain respects is better than the deed.
Sefior Gutierrez. Possession has been effective from 1830 to 1898.
Governor Taft. That wTas my understanding when I examined the heads of the
religious orders. Perhaps I saw Andrews's Chain of Title, in which it appeared that
this had been in possession of the friars for some eighty or one hundred years.
Sefior Gutierrez. Furthermore, Sefior Villegas has given all that land over, in
his estimates, to the friars. It is only now that he makes that remark with regard to
the land being usurped.
Governor Taft. In justice to him, he has put in here this legend, this memoran-
dum, as to the amount admitted legally to belong to the friars.
Sefior Gutierrez. I see that he has put down as our property 16,419 hectares. I
do not know what the plan says.
Governor Taft. The truth is that he was not employed to look into the title at all.
He was asked to go and survey and report on the classes of land and their values. He
was asked to go to the haciendas, to whoever they belonged, it made no difference.
Sefior Villegas. I have simply shown in the plan that part of the land which is
acknowledged to be the legal property of the friars.
Sefior Gutierrez. Sefior Villegas has valued the uncultivated lands of the hacienda
at Calamba at 5 pesos a hectare. These lands contain very fine timber, both for
building and for firewood ; clay mines and chalk mines, of which a very fine quality
of crockery has been made. Whereas in the hacienda of Pandi he has valued the
uncultivated lands at $25 a hectare, and there is absolutely no comparison between
the values of the two lands. In the first place, Calamba is nearer to the market and
it is better situated in every way than Pandi. Therefore it is an absurd valuation
that he has placed on the two lands.
Sefior Villegas. There is no comparison between the soil of the uncultivated
lands at Pandi and the uncultivated lands of the estate of Calamba. The former are
gently sloping and have but a small growth of timber on them, which can be easily
burned off, so that they are, at a very small expense, susceptible of cultivation; but
174 REPORT OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION.
the lands of the estate of Calamba are covered with a thick growth of timber and are
very mountainous and broken, and it would be extremely expensive to cultivate
them.
Senor Gutierrez. The uncultivated lands at the Calamba estate not only have
very valuable timber upon them, but also have an almost inexhaustible supply of
firewood, which can be very easily gotten out. Its soil is a vegetable soil and it is
very rich in comparison with that of Pandi. Pandi has a stony soil and is not rich
at all. A portion of the uncultivated land at the Calamba estate is suitable for sugar
culture; it is gently sloping, and very well suited for the cultivation of sugar.
Senor Villegas. In my opinion the soil at Pandi is very good for any sort of
agriculture, but the soil at Calamba — that part of it which I have valued as unculti-
vated land — is very broken and it is only forest land.
TESTIMONY OP GREGORIO CORCUERA.
Governor Taft. I would like to ask, in order to get through with this witness,
which estates he surveyed?
Gregorio Corcuera. Lolomboy and Santa Clara.
Governor Taft. I believe there is some difference between us as to the number of
hectares in Lolomboy?
Senor Gutierrez. There is a difference of 1,056 hectares.
Governor Taft. How did you reach the area of this hacienda?
Senor Corcuera. I used the system of making a complete survey around the
hacienda, availing myself of the services of different guides. If I had had one effi-
cient guide, perhaps I might have gotten closer to the actual area of the hacienda,
but I was obliged to avail myself of the services of several guides.
Governor Taft. Did you find stones marking the hacienda, and did you run your
lines by those marks?
Senor Corcuera. Yes, sir. If there is any difference, it is the fault of the guide,
because I did not have an official guide from the hacienda, but had to avail myself of
other guides. These boundaries are very clear.
Governor Taft. Most of the boundaries here [pointing to place on map] are natu-
ral boundaries, are they not?
Senor Corcuera. Yes, sir.
Governor Taft. Are all these boundaries here marked?
Senor Corcuera. Yes, sir; they are very well marked.
Governor Taft. Are not those old surveys, many of them, quite defective in the
matter of area?
Senor Gutierrez. Yes, sir; but all of our surveys have been made by engineers.
Governor Taft. Has Senor Gutierrez a map?
Senor Gutierrez. Yes, sir; it is an old map. I have some maps in the office, but
do not remember what the date of the survey is.
Governor Taft. I should think you might compare the maps.
Senor Corcuera. I have found a map in a house on the estate which was made,
not by an engineer, but by a surveyor. I can not say whether it was like this one or
not.
Governor Taft. I think we have agreed pretty well except with respect to Lolom-
boy, where there is a difference of 1,056 hectares.
Archbishop Guidi. This difficulty can be easily gotten over by a study between
this map and the old maps.
Senor Corcuera. This estate adjoins the Santa Clara estate. Perhaps I have included
in the Santa Clara estate the land which is lacking in this. I was told by the people
on the hacienda there that they owned some other land in the pueblo of Polo belong-
ing to this hacienda, and perhaps that is where the land lies.
Governor Taft. Did you go over this estate to examine the character of the land?
Senor Corcuera. Yes, sir; I have personally been over the estate.
Governor Taft. What is the character of the land on that estate?
Senor Corcuera. It is all rice land.
Governor Taft. How much a hectare will the best land produce in a year?
Senor Corcuera. In good seasons when there is plenty of water it will produce as
high as 100 cavanes a hectare.
Governor Taft. What do they call land of that character?
Senor Corcuera. Superior quality.
Governor Taft. What is that worth in the province of Bulacan?
Senor Corcuera. Two hundred pesos a hectare.
Governor Taft. How do you fix that value?
Senor Corcuera. In making the valuation I went around to the neighboring towns
to find out what property which had been sold at this time was worth, and taking
KEPORT OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION. 175
that into consideration and taking my own judgment into consideration I arrived at
the price which I fixed on the land.
Governor Taft. Had land of this kind been sold up there?
Senor Coecueea. Yes, sir.
Governor Taft. Did those sales average 200 pesos a hectare?
Senor Coecueea. Yes, sir.
Governor Taft. How much of the superior land is found in that estate?
Senor Coecueea. Nearly all the land of the estate, by reason of the easy commu-
nication which it has, may be considered as superior.
Governor Taft. How many hectares are there in that estate?
Senor Coecueea. Four thousand five hundred and eighty-eight hectares.
Governor Taft. How many hectares of that are superior land?
Senor Coecueea. Three thousand three hundred and twenty-six hectares are supe-
rior lands.
Governor Taft. What is the remainder?
Senor Coecueea. The balance is uncultivated town lots and fishing grounds.
Governor Taft. What do you estimate the uncultivated lands at?
Senor Coecueea. Five pesos a hectare.
Governor Taft. Why did you make that estimate?
Senor Coecueea. During the former government when I held the position of assist-
ant forester they used to assess uncultivated lands at from $1, $2, $4, and $5 a hectare,
according to the quality of the land, and taking into consideration the quality of this
land I have assessed it at 5 pesos a hectare.
Governor Taft. How many hectares of uncultivated land are there?
Senor Coecueea. Five hundred and forty-three hectares.
Governor Taft. How much did you put down as town lots or solares, and what
price did you give them?
Senor Coecueea. One hundred and sixty-four hectares in solares, at 125 pesos a
hectare.
Governor Taft. How did you come to fix the price at $125?
Senor Coecueea. When I made the survey I generally inquired of the residents
around there what the value of the land was, and I took that into consideration, and
then, taking my own judgment into consideration, I fixed this price on them.
Governor Taft. Are the hacienda of Santa Clara and the hacienda of Lolomboy
the only two that you surveyed?
Senor Coecueea. Yes, sir.
Senor Gutieeeez. What value have you placed upon the Mexican dollar in your
assessment?
Senor Coecueea. It is the Mexican dollar to which we have always been accus-
tomed here, and especially in such places as this, in which all sales and transactions
are made in Mexican dollars.
Senor Gutieeeez. Senor Corcuera has said that there are 647 hectares of unculti-
vated land, and I will state in regard to that if there is any land that is not under cul-
tivation it is because of the lack of cattle; that there is not a single square meter of
land that is not cultivated land. It has always been under cultivation. It may be,
through some accidental cause, through some temporary reason, that it is not now
under cultivation; but it has always been cultivated.
Senor Coecueea. As I saw those uncultivated lands, it was impossible for a carabao
to get through ; and even further than that, to make the surveys it was necessary to
use eight or ten men to get through the brush in order to make the measurements.
Senor Gutieeeez. That is simply for the reason I stated the other day, and that is
that when the land is left without cultivation for a single year the vegetation grows
up so quickly that it appears to be in a wild state; but this land has always been
cultivated.
Senor Coecueea. I do not know anything about that; I simply set things down in
my estimate as I found them.
Senor Gutieeeez. Senor Corcuera has not taken into consideration the value of
the improvements on the Lolomboy estate or on the Pandi estate. On the Lolomboy
estate the improvements for irrigation are very valuable.
Senor Coecueea. I have taken the improvements into consideration, and have
valued them at 40,000 pesos. This includes the house on the estate and warehouses
as well as the warehouse for the rice.
Sefior Gutieeeez. But the house on the estate alone is worth more than $60,000;
it is all built of stone and the walls are over a half a meter in thickness.
Sefior Coecueea. In making the assessment of the improvements I have searched
out the oldest inhabitants there, and I was finally directed to the son of the man
who was in charge of the work when the work was constructed for all the improve-
176 EEPOET OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION.
ments there, and he told me that, more or less, that was the value of the improve-
ments on the land. This was also my own judgment.
Sehor Gutierrez. So that Sehor Corcuera has simply placed his valuation upon
the testimony of the son of the alleged superintendent of the construction of the
house.
Senor Corcuera. I made this estimate in accordance with my best knowledge and
understanding. If I were making the estimate over again I would put it at less than
I did put it, because naturally as time goes on the house and the dams and all the
other improvements deteriorate.
Archbishop Guidi. Are you competent to appraise the value of a building?
Senor Corcuera. No, sir.
Archbishop Guidi. You may be quite competent to value and appraise land, but
according to your own statement you have not the necessary knowledge to appraise
a building.
Sehor Corcuera. I am not competent to do that, but placed an estimate on it to
the best of my knowledge and understanding.
Governor Taft. In what condition was the house?
Senor Corcuera. The house is in a poor state and needs repairs.
Governor Taft. What impression did you get from looking at the nouse as to
its age?
Senor Corcuera. It is a very old house.
Governor Taft. Is there evidence of another house having been there next to it
which was destroyed? I mean, is there evidence of its being smaller than it was?
Senor Corcuera. No, sir; there are no traces there.
Governor Taft. Do you include in this $40,000 the value of the dams?
Senor Corcuera. Yes, sir.
Governor Taft. How do you estimate the value of those dams?
Senor Corcuera. As I have said, in accordance with the statement of the son of
the superintendent of construction on those improvements as to what they cost.
Archbishop Guidi. Are you sure that that individual spoke the truth?
Senor Corcuera. I thought so.
Governor Taft. What \vas the comparative cost of the dams and the house?
Senor Corcuera. About $25,000 for the dam and $15,000 for the house.
Governor Taft. Are the dams in good condition, or otherwise?
Senor Corcuera. Part of them are in good condition, and part of them are not.
Senor Gutierrez. I would like to state that the dam alone cost $40,000 gold. It is
25 meters long, 3 meters high, and 2 wide. Besides there are a lot of other dams,
and according to the information that I have from my administrator I think they are
all in very good condition. There was one which was in a bad state of repair, but
that has been repaired now and they are doing the work which they have always
done. In what month did 3^011 make the estimate?
Senor Corcuera. In November and December, 1901. They were not then all of
them in good condition.
Sehor Gutierrez. Perhaps Sehor Corcuera has simply limited his work to making
a survey of the boundaries of the estate and has not gone into the interior of the
estate.
Sehor Corcuera. I was in the interior of the estate, have examined the land, and
furthermore, I told the administrator down there that his dams were in bad condi-
tion. I followed up the ditches and could see that they were not irrigating the land.
Sehor Gutierrez. It may be that some of the ditches were not in good condition,
but the dams were all in good condition.
Sehor Corcuera. Perhaps that was it.
Sehor Gutierrez. Sehor Corcuera has stated that he has reached this valuation
after having made investigation of sales around the neighboring pueblos and in the
immediate vicinity of the hacienda. I want to ask him if he knows if those sales
actually took place, and when.
Sehor Corcuera. They took place at the time I made the survey, or about that
time.
Sehor Gutierrez. Did you know there were any title deeds of evidence?
Sehor Corcuera. Undoubtedly there must have been some.
Sehor Gutierrez. On the other hand, I would like to present some title deeds here
showing sales of land made in that vicinity at a very much higher price.
Governor Taft. Were these sales made later than the survey or before the survey?
Sehor Gutierrez. Much before the survey. I can present a great many more.
Here is one for 5 hectares, at $1,500 gold.
Governor Taft. Will you let me keep these, so that I can get a memorandum of
them?
Sehor Gutierrez. Yes, sir. I have a great many more if you wish.
EEPOET OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION. 177
Governor Taft. I want all I can get.
Senor Gutierrez. I could get you some, though I fear I can not get as many as I
would wish, because the owners of the deeds might be afraid of their being lost.
Here are some other documents which I have, which show that the tenants used to
convey their rights to cultivate the land for $200 a hectare — and I can show a great
many inore — and that is gold.
Governor Taft. I would like to know what you mean by gold. I can bring you
a bank bill to-day that agrees to pay you, by a legitimate and responsible bank here,
"pesos fuertes;" that means Mexican. You call it " pesos fuertes," but it does not
mean anything more than Mexican.
Senor Gutierrez. I do not discuss the value of the Mexican dollar or the value of
the peso, but simply what was paid at that time for that privilege of cultivating the
land, which at thai time was gold, because the gold money circulated at that time
here. I think it is indisputable that if $200 was paid simply for the privilege of
being one of the tenants of the estate, the value of the land now is over $200.
Governor Taft. I do not agree with that; but I want to look at all that evidence.
Is there any other document of sale but this one?
Senor Gutierrez. I would have to get them from the landowners or the tenants.
The copies in the registrar's office have been destroyed. They are all public docu-
ments, however.
Governor Taft. Here is a list of land sales and tax declarations in Bulacan Prov-
ince, prepared by Senor Villegas.
Senor Gutierrez. You must take into consideration that those sales have been
sales of poor men to rich men; that is to say, from poor men indebted to rich men
and who had a mortgage over that property and took the property for the debt. It
is just the same difference as buying a jewel from a jewelry shop and from a pawn
shop.
Governor Taft. These I understand to be actual sales in Bulacan in 1901 and 1902.
The first sale is at Obando — rice land at 143 pesos a hectare. In Bulacan, 16 hectares,
at 237 pesos a hectare. In Bocaue, 6 J hectares, at 156 pesos a hectare.
Senor Villegas. The hacienda of Lolomboy is at Bocaue.
Governor Taft. In Baliuag, 12 hectares, at 150 pesos a hectare. At Meycauayan,
is it, 160 pesoe a hectare.
Senor Villegas. That is near the hacienda of Polo.
Governor Taft. One hundred and thirty hectares in San Miguel, at 61 pesos a hec-
tare. In Guiguinto, 2 hectares, at 100 pesos a hectare. In Hagonoy, 11 hectares of
rice land at 400 pesos. In Barascain, 33 hectares, at 382 pesos a hectare; adjacent to
Malolos, right near the railway line. The next one, at 92.70 a hectare, in Quingua.
Does Senor Villegas know anything about these sales?
Seiior Villegas. I have official letters all prepared with respect to these sales,
from information which I have received from the presidentes of the towns where
the sales have been made. I have all that data on hand, and am working on it now.
These are all on the official register of sales. I can get more data from the official
registers. I can also go to the pueblos and see the deeds.
Governor Taft. We want the circumstances of these different sales. For instance,
this varies from 400 pesos a hectare to 61 pesos.
Senor Villegas. AVith regard to the land at Hagonoy, at 400 pesos a hectare, you
can get three crops a year from it. It is above superior land.
Governor Taft. We want information about all of this land.
Senor Gutierrez. I have here a record of the sale of 1 hectare at 200 pesos, made
twenty years ago, with the privilege of buying back.
Governor Taft. We are not estimating twenty years ago.
Senor Gutierrez. Now everything has gone up; it must be worth a great deal
more now than it was before.
Governor Taft. He was not buying a lawsuit, as we are.
Senor Gutierrez. There will not be any lawsuit.
Friar Martin. I have perfect confidence in the government and the people at the
head of the government.
Governor Taft. I have perfect confidence in my friend McGregor's Government in
England, but the Irish estates are not worth very much to-day, with all the power
of England next door. If you have the people against you with reference to the title
and ownership, then you have got a fact that you have to take into consideration.
Friar Martin. Notwithstanding this statement, I will challenge, with all due defer-
ence to you, anyone to produce titles that are more legally perfect than our titles.
They have been passed upon by the Supreme Court of the United States.
Governor Taft. Where property has been held for fifty or one hundred years,
that is enough for me.
war 1903 — vol 5 12
178 EEPOET OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION.
Friar Maetin. I have a perfect chain of titles; not only of titles duly registered
under the Spanish Government in compliance with the laws on registration, but also
all the original titles, as the land was acquired by us by piece. All the litigation
and every paper bearing on the title is complete.
Governor Taft. I am entirely willing to concede that, and I am entirely willing
also, should this thing fall through, to let them go into the courts and get their
decrees, and enforce them with all the force I have whenever they have a legal decree
of the court; but we are now discussing a commercial transaction. I want to get
these lands, and I want to pay for them what is the fair price in view of all the cir-
cumstances. If you keep the lands, you have before you a constant turmoil. We
can not help it — it exists, and it does not do to say that a government must be strong
enough to put down all lawlessness. I cite the instance of Ireland. It is not possi-
ble to make the property of Ireland valuable in view of the opinion that the inhabit-
ants have as to those titles, good as they are. If you keep the property, you will
have on your hands constant trouble and turmoil; if we get it we will have, I hope,
less, but nevertheless it will be great trouble for us. I do not see how we can ignore
that fact in reaching what we can afford to pay and what you can afford to take.
Senor Gutierrez. I thank you very much for what you have stated with regard
to your disposition to enforce any judicial decree of the courts in case that these
negotiations should fail; but I do not think that there is any comparison between
the Irish question and the question in the Philippines, because the Irish question is
purely an agrarian question, which it is not in the Philippines. In the Philippines
we have too much land; right in the neighborhood of these estates that are in ques-
tion there are thousands of acres of land. There is plenty of land for everybody
here. Therefore it is not an agrarian question.
Governor Taft. The word agrarian, I think, means a field, and it is certainly a
question arising with reference to the cultivation of the fields. It is the question of
moving certain people off who won't pay their rents. It is the question of eviction.
We have heard of evictions for twenty years — thirty years — in Ireland, since Glad-
stone passed his first landed estates act with respect to Ireland, and England, which
has prided herself on the sacredness of private property, was obliged, in view of the
conditions in Ireland, to take away from the owners of those landed estates that
which up to that time had always been considered the first rule of the* English con-
stitution. We could not have done it under the American Constitution, because it
is a written constitution. I am only citing that to show the difficulties that there are
in it that are not disposed of by reasoning with reference to private property and
the assertion of rights in the courts. The only reason why we are trying to get
these lands is because we think that if we get control of them it may be easier for
us to dispose of them than for those gentlemen who now hold them. On the one
side is the advantage which we think will be gained by getting these lands into the
hands of the government and the possibly greater power which the government will
have in dealing with these tenants and adjusting a compromise with them. That is
one advantage. On the other hand, there is th£ great load of debt that will be put
on the entire Archipelago; and the question which we have to decide for the gov-
ernment is, when the size of that debt would be so great as to outweigh the advan-
tage. We have the whole people of the islands as our constituents with reference to
that debt. Now, Senor Gutierrez is sure that we are going to make a profitable
transaction out of it. I wish I could think so.
Senor Gutierrez. You have with a great deal of talent and very ingeniously taken
up the cause of the tenants and defended that cause as a very brilliant and able law-
yer, but, notwithstanding this, I recognize the fact that in your inner conscience you
know you are going to make a good thing out of those lands. As far as I am person-
ally concerned, I know I could sell my lands to the tenants to-day at a greater profit
than to you.
Governor Taft. I would vote, as a member of the Commission, to take out a million
dollars gold from the treasury to have those lands transferred from their present own-
ers to the tenants. In other words, I would be willing to lose that amount, and
think that our transaction was a very profitable one so far as the politics and safety
of this country is concerned.
Senor Gutierrez. Speaking for my own haciendas, I know that I can more profit-
ably dispose of all the land to the tenants than to the government. I have disposed
of some of it to the tenants.
Governor Taft. I wish you could dispose of ?11 of it. I do not want the land if
you can get it into the hands of the tenants.
Senor Gutierrez. I have already effected sales at a larger price than I have asked
the government, and the very minute that the tenants knew that the government
was out of the business altogether they would be sure to buy from me and give me
a better price than I ask from the government.
REPOKT OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION. 179
Governor Taft. If the government can not buy at a reasonable price, then we will
see which is the more profitable. My impression is that if we were to break it off
now and let it run for two years you gentlemen would be in begging us to take it.
Senor Gutierrez. The purpose of my company always was to exploit the property,
not to sell. We did not buy for the purpose of selling, but for the purpose of making
money out of it, and working the property at the same time.
Governor Taft. I do not think that if we let this thing go for two years and you
make your efforts the government would be very anxious to buy when you come
again, for the result of your two years' labor is going to be a great deal of trouble for
the government. I know that.
Mr. McGregor. I do not think the difficulty will be so great as you estimate for
the companies to manage the property when the people once know that the govern-
ment recognizes our rights. The people of Imus have told me all along for the last
two years that as soon as I gave them some assurance that the government recognized
us as the proper people they would pay their rents. I asked General Wright for a
letter telling these people that our title was good, but he said he could not do so.
Governor Taft. It is no part of the executive department in the government to
show to whom land belongs. I have expressed publicly, and I have not hesitated
to say both before the Congressional committe and in a report that I made to the
Secretary of War, that your titles were probably the best in the islands. That is a
matter of opinion on my part. But I can not give effect to that by telling the people
wThat they must do, for the reason that the question of title has to be settled in the
courts if it is disputed.
Mr. McGregor. My own judgment is that the judges of the courts will uphold
those titles.
Governor Taft. I am not disputing the title in this transaction at all, and do not
intend to; but it is not for the executive part of the government to say that this title
is good and that is bad, because it is not a court. It is only the executive, and it
enforces the decrees of the courts. If you bring a decree of the court that you are
entitled to possession, I will put you in possession. It is my duty to do that; I am
the executive officer, charged with the duty of enforcing that decree. That is the
difficulty of the division between the executive and the judicial powers of the gov-
ernment, but it exists.
Mr. McGregor. Now that the judges will know your own opinion and the opinion
of the Commission, I have not the slightest doubt that they will give a decree in
our favor.
Governor Taft. They ought not to be governed by my opinion. I am not a
judge; I am only the executive officer, and my opinion is no better than that of any
other lawyer. Of course I have not investigated the question of the validity of the
titles. I am not sufficiently versed in the civil law to justify my passing on the ques-
tion, but when I am called upon as an executive officer to report to my superior,
then I have the right to express an opinion.
Mr. McGregor. The people of Imus have always said as soon as they saw that we
were the right people they would pay their rent. I do not think there will be any
difficulty when the people thoroughly understand that they have no legal right.
Governor Taft. I can not conscientiously load the government of the Philippines
with a very heavy debt when I do not think the land, as it stands to-day, under the
circumstances, is worth the amount. It is a question of balancing advantages to the
government of the Philippines — that is all. The ownership of the land, the price,
is only incidentallv important in determining what I would be justified in paying.
Adjourned until" March 18, 1903.
Continued from March 11, 1903, sixth session.
Malacanan Palace, Manila, March 18, 1903.
TESTIMONY OF MATHIAS GONZALES.
Governor Taft. Where do you live?
Senor Gonzales. In JBautista, in Pangasinan.
Governor Taft. What is your father's name?
Senor Gonzales. Francisco Gonzales.
Governor Taft. Is it he who owns a large estate in Pangasinan and Nueva Ecija?
Senor Gonzales. Yes, sir; and partly in Tarlac also.
Governor Taft. How large an estate is that?
Senor Gonzales. Thirty-two thousand hectares.
Governor Taft. Have you attended at all to your father's affairs?
Senor Gonzales. I am at present the manager of the estate.
180 EEPOET OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION.
Governor Taft. How long have you been engaged in that work?
Sefior Gonzales. Before the revolution I took full charge of the management of
the estate, but before that time I had a great deal of knowledge concerning it, owing
to my associations with it.
Governor Taft. What is raised on the estate?
Sefior Gonzales. Rice or palay.
Governor Taft. Is the land irrigated?
Senor Gonzales. The majority of the land is irrigated.
Archbishop Guidi. Is it natural or artificial?
Senor Gonzales. Natural.
Governor Taft. Do you use dams?
Senor Gonzales. In parts of the estate we do.
Governor Taft. Is there first-class superior land in this 32,000 hectares?
Senor Gonzales. We have a great deal of first-class land.
Governor Taft. What does the land produce per year per hectare?
Senor Gonzales. From 90 to 100 cavanes per hectare.
Governor Taft. Do you know, generally, the value of rice land of the first class,
as described by you, in the provinces of Pangasinan, Tarlac, Pampanga, and Bulacan?
Senor Gonzales. Yes, sir; the maximum price in Pangasinan and Tarlac per hec-
tare for first class superior lands is 200 pesos a hectare.
Archbishop Guidi. Do you mean to say that 100 cavanes per hectare is the max-
imum?
Senor Gonzales. Some of the lands might produce as much as 20 cavanes more
per hectare.
Archbishop Guidi. You should have mentioned the fact that you did not refer to
those lands that were exceptionally productive.
Governor Taft. When you mention from 90 to 100 cavanes, is that the method of
classifying superior first-class lands?
Senor Gonzales. Yes, sir.
Governor Taft. You have doubtless hectares that will produce more than 100
cavanes, but I am speaking now of an average which permits a classification.
Senor Gonzales. I so understood you when I answered.
Governor Taft. What is the price of the same kind of land in Pampanga and
Bulacan?
Senor Gonzales. In Bulacan the price of such lands is higher than in the other
provinces. When close to a market and having an abundance of water for irrigation
purposes the price may go as high as 300 pesos per hectare.
Archbishop Guidi. Do you refer to the Mexican peso at its actual present market
value?
Senor Gonzales. Yes, sir.
Archbishop Guidi. Would the price of the lands have been the same several years
ago when the value of the Mexican peso was different?
Senor Gonzales. The price of the land several years ago was less than it is to-day;
that is, about 250 pesos where it is to-day 300 pesos. The exchange value between
silver and gold does not influence the price of land very much in the provinces, nor
does the loss of cattle, even, affect the price of the land A^ery much. What most
affects its price is the demand for it and the lack of capital.
Governor Taft. How much do you or your father get of the gross products of the
land as rental?
Senor Gonzales. On first-class land, 10 per cent of the gross product; on second-
class land, 8 per cent, and third-class land, 5 per cent.
Governor Taft. Is that a fair statement of what smaller landowners would get
from their tenants?
Senor Gonzales. No, sir; the net profit which they get is from 12 to 14 per cent of
the products.
Governor Taft. Is it a custom to make contracts for a percentage of the gross
product?
Senor Gonzales. Yes, sir; also. In such cases the landlord gets 10 per cent.
Governor Taft. .But I am speaking now of the smaller landowners.
Senor Gonzales. In such cases about 18 per cent of the gross product.
Governor Taft. The reason why you and your father are content with 10 per cent
is, if I understood you the other day, that your tenants have some peculiar ideas.
Senor Gonzales. Yes, sir; and in order to avoid difficulty with our tenants we
have lowered the price that is due to us as rent.
Governor Taft. Do you know anything about the price of land in Cavite?
Senor Gonzales. No, sir.
Senor Gutieerez. Senor Gonzales has simply testified what he believes to be the
truth with regard to his own personal experience, and he has simply given his opin-
EEPOET OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION. 181
ions which have been based on his own personal experience. For my part I have
already given my ideas on this subject and have shown that for the mere usufruct of
the ana as much as 200 pesos was paid per hectare.
oovernor Taft. In 1882?
oenor Gutierrez. Not only in 1882, but in 1892, 1896, and 1897 — at any year when
it was profitable to work the lands.
Governor Taft. My judgment is that Seiior Gonzales, since you are expressing
your opinion about his evidence, is probably the best qualified witness to speak,
because he covers four of five provinces. He is a large landowner himself, and he is
familiar with the prices that prevail in those four provinces. I would like to ask
Senor Gonzales if his property in Pangasinan is convenient to the market.
Senor Gonzales. Yes, sir.
Governor Taft. In what way does it reach the market?
Senor Gonzales. We have at Bautista, which is a railway station, a large market,
and we also have another market at Dagupan.
Governor Taft. Does the growing of rice on land exhaust the land?
Senor Gonzales. Yes, sir.
Governor Taft. Is the land in Pangasinan and Tarlac less worn by the cultivation
of the rice which grows there than the land in Bulacan?
Senor Gonzales. Yes, sir; much less worn.
Governor Taft. It is fresher land, is it?
Seiior Gonzales. Yes, sir; it is more fertile.
Archbishop Guidi. Do not these lands produce other crops, like sugar cane, aside
from rice?
Senor Gonzales. They could produce it, but I have never engaged in the cultiva-
tion of sugar and therefore do not know whether it would be more profitable than
rice culture.
Governor Taft. Do you know whether it has been the custom in the Philippine
Islands on any large estates to use fertilizer or manure to make up for the loss in the
fertility of the soil by reason of many years of crops?
Senor Gonzales. I have no knowledge of any fertilizer being used in any province.
Governor Taft. Therefore if land has been used for one hundred or two hundred
years for rice lands, it is not so good as land which has been used for only twenty or
thirty years, is it?
Senor Gonzales. There is a great difference in the production of such lands and the
production of new lands.
Governor Taft. Is there danger that it may change its classification as time goes
on and become second-class land instead of first-class land?
Senor Gonzales. Yes, sir.
Archbishop Guidi. I infer from what you have said that land which has been cul-
tivated for a long time is not as good as land which has not been cultivated, if all
other conditions are equal.
Senor Gonzales. That is undoubtedly so.
Archbishop Guidi. In an hacienda which had lands that had been cultivated for a
long time, and which yielded the same production as lands which had not been cul-
tivated before which were capable of yielding an equal production, the latter should
be preferred to the former?
Senor Gonzales. Undoubtedly the latter would have the preference over the
former.
Friar Martin. How many hectares have vou under cultivation in that estate of
32,000 hectares?
Senor Gonzales. About 11,000.
Friar Martin. Have they been cultivated for a long time — that is, those that are
at present under cultivation?
Seiior Gonzales. We have had more under cultivation formerly.
Friar Martin. I think Senor Gonzales must know that in the provinces of Pan-
gasinan, Tarlac, and Nueva Ecija the population is very thin, and that in his haci-
endas there must be some difficulty in securing the requisite number of laborers or
tenants to work the lands.
Senor Gonzales. Yes; that is true.
Friar Martin. You must also be aware of the fact that in Bulacan the conditions
are exactly the opposite; there the population is very dense, and the very minute
that one tenant leaves his piece of land there are four or five applicants for it.
This does not happen in any of the other provinces mentioned, and therefore the
land is in much greater demand in Bulacan than in the others.
Seiior Gonzales. It is true that the population is denser and that those conditions
prevail in Bulacan, but at the present time the demand for lands is very meager,
owing to the lack of money among the people.
182 REPORT OP THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION. »
Friar Martin. I did not refer to purchases of land, but to the fact that there were
plenty of people there able to work the land.
Governor Taft. Does the difference that you make between the price of land in
Pangasinan and that in Bulacan arise from that cause? Have you not made allow-
ance for that, and is not that the reason for the difference in price?
Seiior Gonzales. Yes, sir.
Governor Taft. Have you any interest, one way or the other, in the price of the
land which we are considering the purchase of?
Sefior Gonzales. The only interest that I take in this sale wThich is going on
between the religious orders and the Government is simply the interest that the
owner of an estate takes who wishes to also sell his estate in any transaction of this
nature.
Governor Taft. You would be willing to sell your estate, would you?
Seiior Gonzales. Yes, sir; at the price which I have indicated.
TESTIMONY OF SENOR JOSE LUZURIAGA, MEMBER OF PHILIPPINE COMMISSION.
Governor Taft. Seiior Luzuriaga, you are a member of the Philippine Commission?
Seiior Luzuriaga. Yes, sir.
Governor Taft. You are a citizen of the province of Occidental Negros?
Sefior Luzuriaga. Yes, sir; of Bacolod, the capital.
Governor Taft. You have lived in Occidental Negros, as I understand it, all your
life?
Seiior Luzuriaga. Yes, sir.
Governor Taft. Do yo own land in Negros?
Seiior Luzuriaga. Yes, sir; I am the owner of three estates which are devoted
principally to the cultivation of sugar cane and also rice.
Governor Taft. Are you familiar with the prices of sugar land per hectare in
Occidental Negros?
Sefior Luzuriaga. Yes, sir; I can testify on that matter.
Governor Taft. tlow far from the sugar market is land in Negros?
Seiior Luzuriaga. The local markets for the sugar grown on the estates in Occi-
dental Negros are situated on the coast of that province. They are Silay, Saravia,
Bacolod, Talisay, San Enrique, Bago, and Pontevedra, and on the southern Coast
Hog, all of which are maritime ports; but from these local markets the sugar is
shipped to the central market, which is situated in the town of Iloilo.
Governor Taft. Is it the habit of the vessels which carry the sugar to beach —
come right up on the shore — and take the sugar from the estate directly to Iloilo?
Seiior Luzuriaga. In some cases the lorchas are able to come right up to the estate,
but as a general rule the sugar is shipped from the coast itself, where the boats come
right up to the coast and are loaded there and take the sugar to Iloilo.
Governor Taft. How much is the ordinary gross product from a hectare of first-
class sugar land?
Sefior Luzuriaga. That depends upon the class of lands. Sugar lands are classi-
fied into first, second, and third class lands. The product of first-class lands — that
is, of the superior lands — is 80 piculs per hectare. But it must be borne in mind that
that is the product of a good year. It will not produce that in ordinary years.
Governor Taft. I would like to ask you generally as to the classification of land.
Do they classify land according to the production in the good years, when the condi-
tions are all favorable, or according to the average through favorable and unfavora-
ble years?
Sefior Luzuriaga. As a general rule the classification is made on the basis of five
years. It is calculated that in those five years one crop will be an extraordinarily
good crop, two years will be ordinary crops, and two years bad crops.
Governor Taft. When you say first-class land will produce 80 piculs a year, do you
mean in a good year?
Sefior Luzuriaga. Yes; I mean in a good year. The two years of average crops
would produce about 60 piculs of sugar, and the two bad years I calculate would
produce about 25 piculs; that is, on an average.
Archbishop Guidi. Is it the custom to renew the seeding of the sugar cane every
year?
Sefior Luzuriaga. In my estates I have always been accustomed to do so, but in
certain parts of Negros, around Isabela for instance, they do not renew the stalks for
three years.
Archbishop Guidi. Is this land not worth a great deal more?
Seiior Luzuriaga. It was owing to the fact that it was not so expensive to culti-
vate.
REPOKT OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION. 183
Governor Taft. How much is sugar land worth to-day that produces 80 piculs in
a good year?
Senor Luzueiaga. That also depends on the quality of the sugar. There are four
classes of sugar raised in the island of Negros — first, second, and third class and the
common or ordinary. At the present time they are getting an extraordinarily good
price for the sugar. " Number 1 sugar is worth in Iloilo as much as $6 a picul. There
is a difference of 3 reals between No. 1 and No. 2 sugar, and from No. 2 to No. 3 of
2 reals.
Archbishop Guidi. I understood you to say that this was an abnormal price paid
this year, but from my understanding of the matter, which I have based upon a
reading of the newspapers, the reduction of the Dingley tariff will have such an effect
on the Philippines with regard to sugar culture that the price of sugar will go still
higher.
Sefior Luzueiaga. The opening of the United States market is only one factor in
the situation. The price is governed more by supply and demand; it depends
altogether on the production of beet sugar in the United States and other places, and
the production of cane sugar in Java, Cuba, and other countries.
Archbishop Guidi. The sugar planters of the Philippines would have this advan-
tage, that they could export their sugar to the United States market without paying
any duties, and it would undoubtedly have the effect of raising the value of sugar
land in the Philippines.
Governor Taft. I want to speed the day when sugar can go from these islands into
the United States, but the difficulty is that Congress has adjourned without passing
such a law, and the reduction of 25 per cent on the Dingley law has made no appre-
ciable difference. The prospect of further reducing the Dingley tariff 50 per cent, so
the merchants informed me the other day, had the effect of increasing the price of
sugar, but with the failure to reduce the tariff the price of sugar, I presume, has
fallen.
Archbishop Guidi. But the fact that Congress has not denied that reduction in
the tariff, but simply postponed action upon it, gives me to understand that there is
a probability that Congress will in the future grant this reduction. At any rate, it
is more reasonable to believe that the reduction will be granted than that it will not
be granted.
Governor Taft. I sincerely concur in that. I believe that Congress will do it at
the next session. I shall be very much disappointed if it does not reduce the duties
on sugar and tobacco from the Philippines. But this is a little aside from the dis-
cussion. I wanted to get at the price of land in the Philippines at the present high
price of sugar.
Archbishop Guidi. The point I wish to make is this: Senor Luzuriaga has said
that this was an abnormal and extraordinary price for sugar this year. This extra-
ordinary and abnormal price will in the future be an ordinary price.
Governor Taft. What is the difference between the price of sugar in Negros and
the price in Iloilo?
Senor Luzuriaga. Fifty cents.
Governor Taft. So that the price is $5.50 a picul on the land where it is produced?
Senor Luzueiaga. That was the price in the months of January and February, but
now it has lowered a little. At present we can get only $4.60 for No. 1 sugar on the
hacienda.
Governor Taft. Let us take it in round figures, $5 a picul in Negros. Would that
mean that a hectare would produce 400 pesos a hectare value of the gross product?
Senor Luzueiaga. Yes, sir.
Governor Taft. What is that land which makes a grossx product of 400 pesos a
year in good years worth, as land is sold in Negros, per hectare?
Senor Luzueiaga. Owing to a very special condition of things down there, that
land which produces 400 pesos a year per hectare is to-day worth not one-half of that
sum. That is due to the special circumstances down there and the lack of money.
It simply involves the principle of supply and demand.
Governor Taft. Do you know whether there is any greater lack of money in Cavite
than in Negros?
Senor Luzueiaga. I understand there is a great scarcity of money in Cavite prov-
ince, so much so that I have been given to understand that one-half of the inhabit-
ants there are engaged in robbing the other half. The lack of money is very much
felt in Occidental Negros, and it has had this effect on sugar cultivation, that one-
fifth of the land is now devoted to sugar culture that has been devoted two years
before.
Archbishop Guidi. I take it that the present conditions that prevail in the islands
are altogether abnormal, and I do not think we can base any argument on these
abnormal conditions, because there may be a change any day. Perhaps to-morrow
184 REPORT OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION.
things may regulate themselves, and it is impossible to make any calculations on
such an abnormal situation.
Seil or Luzueiaga. The trouble is that we have been living under these abnormal
conditions four or five years and we are within them yet.
Governor Taft. What, as a rule, is the price of first-class land in Negros to-day,
per hectare?
Sefior Luzueiaga. As a rule, from 100 to 150 Mexican pesos per hectare for first-
class land.
Archbishop Guidi. If these are the prices paid in these abnormal times, what was
the land worth during normal times?
Senor Luzueiaga. About 100 pesos.
Archbishop Guidi. Do you refer to the land here? Several witnesses have testi-
fied that the land was worth 200 pesos.
Senor Luzueiaga. My remarks applied to the island of Negros. I know a great
many estates that are now advertised for sale in Negros. They are simply given
away almost.-
Governor Taft. Are there some sold there? Do you judge from the prices actually
brought?
Senor Luzueiaga. Yes, sir.
Governor Taft. Is your estimate based on that?
Senor Luzueiaga. Yes, sir; you can search the records down there and find my
statements to be based on sales actually made.
Governor Taft. And I understand that for the purposes of growing sugar Negros is
just as convenient to the sugar market as Cavite — or is that so?
Sefior Luzueiaga. Yes, sir; that is true with regard to the markets, and I doubt
whether there are any lands in Cavite that are as fertile and as good for sugar culti-
vation as in Negros.
Governor Taft. How is it with reference to Pampanga?
Senor Luzueiaga. In Pampanga there are no lands that are equal in fertility or in
productivity to those in Negros. I have seen some of the land in Pampanga.
Governor Taft. Is Iloilo as convenient to Negros as Manila to Pampanga?
Senor Luzueiaga. Yes, sir; the market of Iloilo is only about three hours away.
Governor Taft. Is the expense of raising sugar, in proportion to the value of the
product, greater or less than that of raising rice?
Senor Luzueiaga. Proportionately, the expense of cultivating sugar cane is much
greater than cultivating palay.
Governor Taft. What is the comparative expense of the two?
Senor Luzueiaga. In good times in Negros we could produce 1 picul of sugar at an
expense of 3 pesos, Mexican. . Now the expenses are very much greater, owing to
the fact that the locusts have appeared down there, the cattle have all died, and
the cultivation has to be done entirely by hand. The price of labor has also risen.
Governor Taft. What do you calculate it is now?
Senor Luzueiaga. All expenses could be covered I think, approximately, by 4
pesos; that is, including all expense of placing it in the market.
Senor Gutieeeez. I can not agree with Senor Luzuriaga with regard to his state-
ment that formerly the cost of raising sugar was 3 pesos per picul.
Sefior Luzueiaga. I refer to the time immediately before the outbreak of the revolu-
tion, not to twenty or thirty years back, when the price of labor was so very much
cheaper than it is now.
Senor Gutieeeez. I do not think that the expense of raising 1 picul of sugar could
ever have exceeded from $2 to $2.25, Mexican, and I, myself, who have had experi-
ence as a sugar planter, have never exceeded this sum. Furthermore, there was a
great difference between the cost- of raising sugar between a native and a foreign
planter. The native planter was able to either hire his labor at a much cheaper price
than the foreign planter or else he worked his land on shares, and working on shares
is a very much cheaper method than working it by day labor.
TESTIMONY OF MAEIANO BUNZALAN.
Governor Taft. What is your name and where do you live.
Sefior Maeiano Bunzalan. My name is Mariano Bunzalan. I live at Rosario,
Cavite.
Governor Taft. Have you lived at Rosario most of your life?
Sefior Bunzalan. Yes, sir.
Governor Taft. Are you a farmer?
Senor Bunzalan. Yes, sir; I am an owner of agricultural lands.
Governor Taft. Is Rosario on the hacienda of San Francisco de Malabon?
Sefior Bunzalan. Yes, sir.
REPORT OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION. 185
Governor Taft. Are you familiar with the estate of San Francisco de Malabon?
Sefior Bunzalan. Yes, sir; I have more or less intimate knowledge of the land.
Governor Taft. Do you know of first-class, superior land in that hacienda?
Sehor Bunzalan. I have a more or less intimate knowledge of the first-class lands
on that estate. I am a landowner on that estate.
Governor Taft. How many cavanes a year will first-class land on the estate of San
Francisco de Malabon produce?
Sefior Bunzalan. The lands belonging to the pueblo of Rosario produce per hectare
of first-class land about 50 cavanes.
Governor Taft. But in good years what do they produce?
Sefior Bunzalan. That is what they produce in good years. It is because the land
on that estate is pretty Avell worn-out.
Governor Taft. What is that land worth which you describe as first-class land?
Senor Bunzalan. If we take into consideration the present conditions, I would
calculate that the lands were worth at present about 100 pesos a hectare.
Governor Taft. Is there land which produces in Cavite from 90 to 100 cavanes a
hectare in good times?
Senor Bunzalan. I do not know of any.
Governor Taft. What is the most that you know of land producing in good times?
I do not mean when land is not planted at all, but I mean in good times.
Senor Bunzalan. A long time ago, when I was 29 or 30 years old ( I am now 65
years old), I have known of lands to produce 60 or 70 cavanes of palay, but I can
bet anybody that those same lands will not produce to-day over 50 cavanes a year.
Governor Taft. Does the land you speak of produce two crops a year?
Sefior Bunzalan. When I say that lands have produced 50 cavanes, I refer to lands
which produce one crop a year.
Governor Taft. But is there land there that is so irrigated that it can produce two
crops a year?
Sefior Bunzalan. Yes, sir. There are lands that can be cultivated so as to produce
two crops a year, but they do not cultivate them in that manner. By cultivating
two crops they do not gain anything in production; it is more expensive to them.
Governor Taft. If they cultivate two crops they get more gross crops than when
they produce one, do they not?
Sefior Bunzalan. It was formerly so, but not now. At present farmers prefer to
cultivate only one crop a year.
Governor Taft. That is because he doubles his expenses, isn't it?
Senor Bunzalan. Yes, sir.
Governor Taft. Suppose he did raise from that land two crops a year, what would
be the gross number of cavanes?
Senor Bunzalan. The production would be about the same, and perhaps less.
For instance, if they cultivate lands so as to get two crops a year, the first crop will
probably yield 30 cavanes and the second crop would yield them enough perhaps to
make up as much as they would get from one crop alone; and the farmers knowing
this, and knowing how much more expensive it is, only plant one crop a year.
Governor Taft. Do they plant it any differently when they plant for two crops
than for only one?
Senor Bunzalan. The first is a transplantation of the plants, and the second crop
is simply the sowing of the seed.
Archbishop Guidi. You have testified that these lands produce 50 cavanes a hec-
tare in one crop a year. Do you mean that they produce that at the present time?
Senor Bunzalan. No; in good years; that is the maximum in good years.
Archbishop Guidi. What does it produce at the present time?
Senor Bunzalan. This year it produced practically nothing, because we have had
the locusts down there and there has been a lack of water.
Archbishop Guidi. It is useless to examine this witness further.
Governor Taft. The first crop, whether it be the only crop or the crop of two
crops in a year, is always planted, is it not?
Senor Bunzalan. For one cultivation only the plants are transplanted, and for two
cultivations for the first lot the plants are transplanted, but for the second crop the
seed is simply sown on the ground.
Governor Taft. I do not understand why the first crop, which is planted by trans-
planted plants, produces any less whether you add the second crop or not.
Senor Bunzalan. We will suppose that I gathered two crops last year. If this
year I attempt to do the same thing the production will be very much less than if I
had only gathered one crop the year before, because the land loses some of its fertil-
ity in being forced to growtwo crops in one year, so this year my production would
be less from the plants which I transplanted for the first crop.
186 EEPORT OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION.
Governor Taft. Do you mean, then, that yon do not plant two crops in one year
because two crops exhaust the soil too much?
Senor Bunzalan. Yes, sir.
Governor Taft. I understood you to say that in the town of Kosario, in that part
of the hacienda of San Francisco de Malabon which is included in Eosario, you know
of no land that produces to-day or will produce in good years to-day to exceed 50
cavanes a year?
Senor Bunzalan. Yes, sir; that is what I stated.
Governor Taft. How much do you cultivate yourself?
Senor Bunzalan. I have a piece of ground there which, according to the measure-
ment of the administrator of the estate, amounts to 3 cavanes and 20 gantas of land,
and from this land I have gathered 120 cavanes and at the very most 130. Very
rarely have I gathered more than 130 from this land.
Governor Taft. How is your land classified; is it first, second, or third class land?
Senor Bunzalan. The administrator classifies it as first-class land.
Governor Taft. What is the custom in Cavite as to what the owner of the land
gets, what the lessee of the land gets, and what the workman who works on shares
gets out of the gross product; what is the annual rental?
Senor Bunzalan. For the 3 cavanes and 20 gantas in my possession I paid 37 cava-
nes of rice.
Governor Taft. That is about 10 per cent.
Senor Bunzalan. Out of the gross product from the land of 120 or 125 cavanes oi
rice I paid to the administrator of the estate 37 cavanes as rental.
Archbishop Guidi. What were the expenses that were deducted after that?
Senor Bunzalan. All expenses, including the seeding and gathering of the crop,
amounted to from 36 to 38 pesos. '
Archbishop Guidi. There we have 37 cavanes that you have given for rental, 36
pesos that have been deducted for expenses, and then what was left was to be divided
between you and the worker of the land; so that what was left to you must have
been very insignificant. How much was left to you?
Senor Bunzalan. It was sometimes less than what I had paid for rental.
Governor Taft. The rental of the owner was determined in this manner, wasn't
it — that he paid 10 cavanes for every 1 cavan used for seed?
Senor Bunzalan. As a general rule it is about 10 cavanes. though I have seen con-
tracts made for 11 cavanes; that is, first-class land. For second-class landless, some-
times 8 cavanes. For my land I paid for 3 cavanes and 18 gantas 37 cavanes of
palay.
Governor Taft. But the rental was determined by the cavanes used for seed,
was it?
Senor Bunzalan. The amount of seed that was given to the tenant had reference
not only to the seed itself but to the amount of ground which the seed would plant.
Governor Taft. A cavan of seed would ordinarily plant 1 hectare of land, so that
they have come to use cavan as equivalent to a hectare. In other words, cavan
means to them an area of land.
Friar Martin. How many hectares of land do you own there?
Senor Bunzalan. None.
Archbishop Guidi. How is it that you claim possession over this land?
Senor Bunzalan. I had possession as lessee of the land, and because I paid my
annual stipend.
Senor Gutierrez. I would like to call attention to the great contradiction that
there is between the testimony of this witness and the testimony of the expert of the
Government who has testified here regarding the value of the lands.
TESTIMONY OF DOMINGO COLMENER.
Governor Taft. What is your name and where do live?
Senor Colmener. Domingo Colmener. I live at San Francisco de Malabon, which
is within the hacienda of San Francisco de Malabon.
Governor Taft. Are you one of the tenants of the estate?
Senor Colmener. Yes, sir.
Governor Taft. How much land did you have?
Senor Colmener. About 23 cavanes, more or less. We measure land down there
by cavanes, not by hectare.
Governor Taft. Is that first or second class land?
Senor Colmener. Of the land which I own there is some which is irrigated and
some which is not irrigated.
Governor Taft. Do they not divide it into first, second, and third class land?
REPORT OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION. 187
Sen or Colmener. I do not know whether the hacienda itself has classified the land
or not, but I am quite sure that I paid a bulk annual rental of 300 cavanes in rice.
Besides this I also paid in money about 70 pesos Mexican.
Governor Taft. How much per hectare did your best land produce per cavan in
a good year?
Seiior Colmener. Fifty cavanes.
Governor Taft. Did you have two crops or one?
Senor Colmener. My land would only produce one crop a year, but there was
land on the estate that would produce two crops.
Governor Taft. How much would two crops produce a year?
Senor Colmener. When land yielded two crops a year the gross product was 80
cavanes a year for first-class land. I believe that is the maximum.
Governor Taft. Had you any of that in your estate?
Senor Colmener. I can not recollect that I ever gathered two crops from any of
my land. The reason why many of the tenants were unable to gather two crops
from their land was owing to the fact that a certain municipal official, who at that
time was called a justicio, would allot certain pieces of ground which were to be cul-
tivated twice. This was done in order not to create a scarcity of water, because
during the dry season, they had to be very careful with their water so as not to
create a scarcity.
Governor Taft. What is the price of land in Cavite that would produce 80 cavanes
per hectare in two crops?
Senor Colmener. I believe as high as 100 pesos Mexican.
TESTIMONY OF JOSE DEL ROSARIO.
Governor Taft. What is your name?
Senor Rosario. Jose del Rosario.
Governor Taft. Where do you live?
Senor Rosario. At Santa Cruz de Malabon.
Governor Taft. Were you a tenant of the estate of Santa Cruz de Malabon?
Seiior Rosario. No, sir.
Governor Taft. Did you pay rent to the administrator of the estate of Santa Cruz
de Malabon?
Senor Rosario. I do not know that I paid any rent for that land, but I do know
that a certain sum was exacted of me by the administrator.
Governor Taft. What sum was exacted from you? We are not here to examine
titles.
Seiior Rosario. There is some land for which 8 cavanes was paid for each cavan of
land, some for which only 4 cavanes w^as paid for each cavan of land.
Governor Taft. How much of that did you cultivate?
Senor Rosario. Eight and one-half cavanes.
Governor Taft. What did you pay to the administrator for those 8 cavanes?
Senor Rosario. Sixty-six cavanes.
Governor Taft. Did you have first and second class land?
Senor Rosario. Yes, sir.
Governor Taft. How much was produced on the first-class land?
Senor Rosario. In the very best of times and the very best of crops, 50 cavanes.
Governor Taft. How wras that divided?
Senor Rosario. After deducting the expenses of the cultivation of land and pay-
ing the part which was paid to the administrator of the estate the balance was
divided between the lessee of the ground and the workmen.>
Governor Taft. How much out of 50 cavanes did that bring to you?
Senor Rosario. From 17 to 18 cavanes per cavan.
Archbishop Guldi. How many crops a year?
Seiior Rosario. One a year.
Archbishop Guidi. Have you never had two crops a year?
Senor Rosario. Not on my land.
Governor Taft. Was your land irrigated?
Senor Rosario. Yes, sir.
Governor Taft. How was the question whether they had two crops regulated?
Senor Rosario. I do not know whether there was any regulation as to raising two
crops a year, as I myself have never raised two crops.
Governor Taft. Why?
Senor Rosario. Because I did not wish to tire my stock too much.
Governor Taft. Was there a justicio on the estate?
Seiior Rosario. Yes, sir.
188 REPORT OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION.
Governor Taft. Did he determine whether lands should have two crops or one?
Senor Rosario. Yes, sir.
Archbishop Guidi. Do yon know whether this official called justicio or overseer
had the power to prevent any of the tenants from cultivating their grounds twice if
they desired to do so and if they had the requisite conditions to cultivate it twice, or
whether it was not the fact that the only attribute of this official was the withhold-
ing or granting of water.
Senor Rosario. I do not know.
Senor Luzuriaga. What powers did this official exercise?
Senor Rosario. The only powers he exercised were those connected with the dis-
tribution of water for irrigation purposes.
Governor Taft. A second crop, I suppose, would be impossible if he withheld the
water, would it not?
Archbishop Guidi. This official, who was an overseer on the plantation, had sim-
ply the duty of looking after the distribution of water on the estate for irrigation
purposes, and it is not to be supposed that this official would withhold water from one
tenant in order to favor another, because that would neither be in accordance with
equity nor justice. This was a custom that was followed not only in the Philippines
but also in Italy. Wherever they have irrigation they have an official appointed
whose duty it is to see that the water is equitably distributed among the agriculturists.
Governor Taft. But his decision as to the amount of water that each shall have
out of the total amount necessarily controls whether they shall have a second crop
or not. The judge of the water decides how the water is "to be distributed fairly.
Senor Gutierrez. That is where we are in error.
Governor Taft. What does he do, then?
Senor Gutierrez. It is unncessary for me to state particularly what the attributes
or powers of this overseer might have been during that time. He was simply one of
a great many municipal officials that existed at that time. This man was a munici-
pal official and not an official of the estate, and his duties were simply to settle dis-
putes between tenants with regard to the cultivation of land. But the distribution
of water for irrigation purposes was altogether in the hands of the administrator of
the estate. It was he who fixed the amount which could be irrigated, and it was
generally done in turns, one tenant having a turn this year and another tenant next
year, and so on.
Governor Taft. Whether it was the overseer or not the man who distributed the
water — and there must have been such a man in times when water was scarce —
necessarily regulated whether the crop was to be doubled for one and not for another
tenant. You say a man has the right to raise two crops, but he can not raise two
crops unless he gets the water for a second crop. If there is not enough water some-
body has got to lose.
Archbishop Guidi. That question was settled in an equitable manner by the
administrator.
Governor Taft. What, in your opinion, is the value of first-class land in that part
of the estate in which you live?
Senor Rosario. One hundred dollars Mexican per hectare.
Governor Taft. Is that land that produces 50 cavanes a year?
Senor Rosario. Yes, sir.
Governor Taft. Do you know of any land in Cavite that will produce more than
50 cavanes a year?
Senor Rosario. No, sir.
Senor Gutierrez. Are you the owner of any lands?
Senor Rosario. Yes, sir; I have land in Pampanga, in Cavite Viejo, and in my
town.
Senor Gutierrez. Are you willing to sell your first-class land at 100 pesos?
Senor Rosario. Yes, sir.
Senor Gutierrez. How much did you pay for that land?
Senor Rosario. In Cavite I have some land for which I paid 25 pesos a hectare.
Senor Gutierrez. Is that land irrigated land?
Senor Rosario. No, sir.
Governor Taft. Do you raise one crop a year from it?
Senor Rosario. Yes, sir.
Governor Taft. How many cavanes do you get from that land in Cavite Viejo?
Senor Rosario: From 30 to 34 cavanes for each cavan of seed;
TESTIMONY OF SENOR SIRIAZO NAZARINO.
Governor Taft. What is your name?
Senor Nazarino. Siriazo Nazarino.
Governor Taft. Where do you live?
KEPORT OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION. 189
Seilor Nazarino. In the pueblo of Naic, province of Cavite.
Governor Taft. Are you presidente of Naic?
Senor Nazarino. At present I am not.
Governor Taft. Do you cultivate land in Naic?
Senor Nazarino. I own a certain piece of property in Naic.
Governor Taft. How much?
Senor Nazarino. About 19 hectares.
Governor Taft. Is that a part of the hacienda of Naic?
Senor Nazarino. Formerly it was called the hacienda of Naic.
Governor Taft. Did you cultivate it at that time?
Senor Nazarino. Yes, sir.
Governor Taft. How much did you pay to the administrator of the estate in for-
mer times?
Senor Nazarino. I paid 10J cavanes for each cavan of seed to the administrator.
I paid 1 cavan extra for the church, and I paid half of a cavan for rats.
Governor Taft. Did they collect half a cavan to pay for the loss by rats?
Senor Nazarino. They told me it was for the rats; possibly it was to cover that
loss. That was the general custom.
Governor Taft. Was your land first or second class land?
Senor Nazarino. First-class land.
Governor Taft. How much per cavan was the gross product.
Senor Nazarino. Generally when we had what we consider a good crop it would
amount to 40 to 50 cavanes per cavan.
Governor Taft. How many crops a year did you produce?
Senor Nazarino. Every two years we would get three crops.
Governor Taft. How many cavanes would be produced in each crop of those three
crops?
Senor Nazarino. The crop to which I first referred of 50 cavanes was what we
termed a principal or a fine crop. What we termed an extra crop was one of about
30 cavanes.
Governor Taft. That would make 130 cavanes in two years from one hectare, or
65 cavanes a year?
Senor Nazarino. In two years it would be over 100 cavanes of seed. Half of the
land was left uncultivated for half of the time, because land which was cultivated
two or three successive crops did not yield as much as if it had been allowed to be
cultivated for a certain time.
Governor Taft. What was land worth on which could be raised three crops in two
years of over 100 cavanes?
Seilor Nazarino. $100 to $125 Mexican per hectare. I forgot to state that aside
from the payments which we had to make on the gross product of the first crop we
were obliged to make another payment on the second crop, one-half of the value of
the first payment. When we raised two crops, on the first crop we paid about 11
cavanes for each cavan; on the second crop we would have to pay one-half of that.
Senor Gutierrez. I would like to ask the witness if it is true that he paid for each
cavan of seed 11^ cavanes of palay, besides the money payment that he made.
Senor Nazarino. Yes, sir.
Senor Gutierrez. You have valued these lands at $100 to $125 Mexican a hectare;
on what grounds have you placed this valuation? Is it upon sales which have actually
taken place at Naic?
Senor Nazarino. Yes; upon sales that have taken place in the past.
Senor Gutierrez. I would like to state that since the eighteenth, or at the most the
beginning of the nineteenth century, no sales of land were made in that estate of
Naic until the year when the entire estate was sold to the present company that now
owns it. For that reason the testimony of the witness is not correct. He has stated
that he was a tenant of the estate up to a certain year, but now, that he is the owner
of the lands, I would like to ask him of whom he bought those lands.
Senor Nazarino. I have not said that I was ever a tenant; what I did say was that
they exacted from us a certain rental at that time.
Senor Gutierrez. What were you then if you were not a tenant.
Senor Nazarino. The friars used to call us tenants at that time but I know that
those lands were bought by my forefathers.
Senor Gutierrez. I infer from your answer that you consider yourself the owner
of those lands because you say your forefathers were owners of the land, and if they
did not sell the land, you, as their heir, would be the present owner of the land.
Senor Nazarino. Yes; I have inherited that from my forefathers.
Governor Taft. They have been on the land for how long?
Senor Nazarino. My father has told me that he and my grandfather were the first
to cultivate that land.
190 EEPOET OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION.
Governor Taft. Was it the habit in times past of tenants to sell to other tenants
their right to occupy land?
Sen or Nazarino. I remember that there have been cases where tenants have sold
their rights of tenantry to others.
Governor Taft. Do you know what prices were paid in those times for those ten-
ants' rights?
Senor Nazarino. In cases of good land in such conveyances the price paid was
100 pesos; in some instances it was less.
Archbishop Guidi. Was not that simply a conveyance of the usufruct of the land?
Senor Nazarino. It was a conveyance rather of the possession of the land of what-
ever right the man selling the property had in that property.
Governor Taft. And what he got was the right to enjoy the gross product of the
land, less 11 cavanes which he had to pay for each cavan to the administrator?
Senor Nazarino. Yes, sir; the purchaser of whatever right was transferred had to
continue making the payment of 11 cavanes.
Senor Gutierrez. I have not yet been able to get the witness to answer my ques-
tion whether he is the owner of that land or not.
Governor Taft. Do you think it necessary for him to answer that?
Senor Gutierrez. Yes, sir.
Senor Nazarino. I consider myself the owner of that property, being my father's
heir. At the same time I do not attempt to deny the fact that during my father's
time and my own time I paid that rental to which I referred, to the administrator of
the estate.
Archbishop Guidi. Have you a title deed?
Senor Nazarino. No, sir.
Archbishop Guidi. Had your father a title deed?
Senor Nazarino. No; not that I know of.
Archbishop Guidi. How, then, can you consider yourself the owner of that prop-
erty if you have not title deeds or have not inherited title deeds? What your father
has handed down to you is the usufruct of the land and not the ownership of the
land.
Senor Nazarino. In my father's time I might make so bold as to say that there
were great obstacles in the way of a Filipino acquiring a title deed to land, and for
that reason I have no title deed to the land. I would also like to say that there was
also an assessment made on the lessees of the ground for the improvements on the
estate, construction of roads and dams, etc.
Governor Taft. How much was that assessment?
Senor Nazarino. During my time — since the time that I arrived at the age of
reason — I remember in the construction of one bridge on that estate they exacted
from 6 gantas for each cavan of seed sown.
Senor Gutierrez. Where is that bridge and for what purpose was it constructed?
Senor Nazarino. It is the bridge on the road from Naic to Santa Cruz.
Senor Gutierrez. Is it not used for the purpose of giving an outlet for their crops
on the estate?
Senor Nazarino. Yes, sir.
Adjourned until March 20.
Continued from March 18, 1903, seventh session.
Malacanan Palace, Manila, March 20, 1903.
testimony of cayetano topacio.
Governor Taft. What is your name?
Senor Topacio. Cayetano Topacio.
Governor Taft. Where do you live?
Senor Topacio. In the pueblo of Imus.
Governor Taft. Do you cultivate land there?
Senor Topacio. Yes, sir.
Governor Taft. How much?
Senor Topacio. About 8 hectares.
Governor Taft. How long have you cultivated it?
Senor Topacio. I inherited it from my father. Since his death I have cultivated it.
I do not remember the date.
Governor Taft. Is it irrigated rice land?
Senor Topacio. Yes, sir.
Governor Taft. Is it first, second, or third class land?
KEPOKT OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION. 191
Senor Topacio. The greater part of these 8 hectares is considered as second-class
land.
Governor Taft. Is there any first-class land?
Seiior Topacio. No, sir.
Governor Taft. What is the canon of the land?
Seiior Topacio. Do you mean lately? Because in former years at the heginning the
canon was called a contribution for the support of the worship of Our Lady of El
Pilar, who was the patron saint of the estate.
Governor Taft. Who collected that? '
Seiior Topacio. The curate or parish priest.
Governor Taft. Wasn't there an administrator of the hacienda?
Seiior Topacio. Lately, since there was an administrator of the estate, the name of
which was changed from the Del Pilar to the estate of San Juan there was an admin-
istrator.
Governor Taft. How much did he collect?
Seiior Topacio. There was a variation in what he collected. In the beginning it
was simply a contribution which we made for the maintenance of the parish priest
and for the worship of Our Lady of Pilar. This I got from hearsay only. After that
the tribute was in palay, being 2 cavanes of palay, which was equivalent to $1 Mexi-
can, per cavan of land, which I understand is nearly a hectare of land.
Archbishop Guidi. Who imposed this contribution?
Sen or Topacio. According to my idea, I think that it was simply an agreement
between the people and the~parish priest.
Governor Taft. Do you recollect whether there had been anybody there but an
administrator to collect from the people who occupied land?
Seiior Topacio. It was either the administrator or the parish priest-
Governor Taft. What did you pay the administrator, whether he was a priest or
a layman?
Seiior Topacio. I paid 8 cavanes for each cavan of seed. Every three or four
years the contracts or leases would be renewed, and upon such renewals the amount
of canon was changed.
Governor Taft. Did you, in addition to the canon, pay something to the curate?
Seiior Topacio. No, sir.
Governor Taft. Did you pay anything for rats?
Seiior Topacio. No, sir.
Governor Taft. How much will that second-class land that you are now cultivat-
ing produce in a year?
Seiior Topacio. I have not yet explained what I paid for a canon lately. It went
up as high as 15 and 20 canvanes for each cavan of seed.
Friar Martin. Can you show a receipt showing that you paid that amount of
canon, or can you show a contract which will testify that that amount of canon was
exacted from you?
Seiior Topacio. I could not because I lost all my papers during the insurrection.
Governor Taft. How much per hectare or cavan do you produce on those 8
hectares?
Seiior Topacio. From 50 to 60 cavanes.
Governor Taft. On second-class land?
Senor Topacio. Yes, sir; that is during normal times.
Governor Taft. Do you plant two crops or one, or three crops in two years?
Senor Topacio. One crop a year.
Governor Taft. Do you never plant two crops?
Seiior Topacio. No; I have never planted two crops, because experience has
demonstrated to us that if we plant two crops there is not only an additional
expense, but the first crop will be a short crop.
Governor Taft. So that you found it better to plant only one crop. What is that
land worth?
Seiior Topacio. As this is poor land, containing a good deal of lime, it is not worth
more than 75 to 80 pesos a cavan or hectare.
Mr. McGregor. In declaring your land for taxation purposes, at how much per
hectare did you value it?
Seiior Topacio. I have declared the land at an excessive price, with the object of
covering all the needs of our municipal government.
Mr. McGregor. How much did you put it at?
Seiior Topacio. For the entire 8 cavanes of land it is between two and three thou-
sand pesos; that is, all the improvements — house and everything. The house alone
is worth 1,500 to 2,000 pesos.
Archbishop Guidi. Why did you declare it at an excessive price?
192 KEPOKT OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION.
Senor Topacio. It was in order that there might be enough taxes collected to
maintain the municipality.
Governor Taft. What kind of a house is on the land?
Senor Topacio. It is a house the foundations of which are of masonry and the
main body of the house of lumber. It has a nipa roof.
Mr. McGregor. At what do you value the land without the house?
Senor Topacio. I have declared it as uncultivated lands at 10 pesos a kinon, which
is a little over 2 hectares.
Mr. McGregor. Why?
Senor Topacio. Because all of the improvements that are on the ground I consider
my own property.
Mr. McGregor. I do not think he is right in valuing that as uncultivated land.
Have you put any improvements besides your house on that land?
Senior Topacio. What I call improvements is the work that I have done in level-
ing off the land and marking it off in squares for rice culture — diking it.
Mr. McGregor. Is your land artificially irrigated from water system?
Senor Topacio. It is irrigated by the water taken from the dams and canals.
Mr. McGregor. Were you on the municipal board of assessors?
Senor Topacio. No, sir.
Governor Taft. As I understand it, you make a report of a house worth 1,500
pesos. You have not declared it separately.
Senor Topacio. I made my declaration in this manner. I declared the land sepa-
rately from the improvements, the land at so much and the improvements at so much.
Mr. McGregor. Do you know the value of first-class irrigated land of the town of
Imus?
Senor Topacio. First-class land, I should say, might be worth about 100 pesos a
hectare. That is because even the most superior land in that neighborhood is not of
as good quality, on account of being hard, as the land around the other pueblos of
the province; but still I think that perhaps the price which I first put on it, from 75
to 80 pesos a hectare for first-class land, would be a better price for it per hectare on
account of its inferiority to similar land around other pueblos.
Governor Taft. But you said that this land of yours was worth from 60 to 75 pesos,
didn't you?
Senor Topacio. From 50 to 60.
Governor Taft. How much will that first-class land produce per hectare?
Senor Topacio. From 55 up to as high as 60 and 75 cavanes.
Governor Taft. I do not see much difference between the product of your first-
class and your second-class land.
Sefior Topacio. That is because in that neighborhood the first-class land is really
not first-class land; it is a very inferior first-class land.
Archbishop Guidi. In speaking of first-class land, wTere you speaking of land of
your own that you cultivated?
Senor Topacio. No; I was speaking of other people's land there.
Archbishop Guidi. Is there much difference in the productivity of the first and
second class land?
Senor Topacio. No; the difference is small.
Mr. McGregor. How is it, if you put the value of first-class land at such a low
price, that some of the people of Imus, in giving in their declarations to the pro-
vincial treasurer, have valued their land at $150 gold a hectare?
Senor Topacio. This is explained by the reason that the residents of the town of
Imus have agreed to put an exorbitant valuation on their lands for assessment pur-
poses in order to raise enough money to run the municipality properly.
Mr. McGregor. Some have put it even higher than $150 gold.
Senor Topacio. I do not know that any residents have declared their lands at $150
gold.
Mr. McGregor. You probably know E. Bautista. He has 2, 157 meters of first-
class palay land which he has valued at $150 gold.
Senor Topacio. No; I do not recollect him.
Mr. McGregor. Do you know Mr. P. Cordona?
Senor Topacia. Yes, sir.
Mr. McGregor. He has 20,905 meters of land valued at $300 gold.
Senor Topacio. I do not understand this exorbitant declaration. I can under-
stand that a man's patriotism may go up to a certain extent, but I can not imagine
it going up that far.
Mr. McGregor. I find some valuations here that I do not understand at all. There
is one man has 3,340 meters of land and he values it at $200 gold. The people in
the office could not give me an explanation of it, but I think he has a dam on the
KEPORT OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION. 193
property and controls the water on it. ' Mr. Tjig has 3,340 meters at $200 gold.
Another man 960 meters at $150 gold.
Governor Taft. Did not the people of Imus seize the opportunity to make returns
as to valuation of the land for the purpose of establishing title?
Senor Topacio. Perhaps that has been the consideration— that is, that they would
be considered as owners of the land; but what the landowners of Imus did do was
to get together and agree to put a high valuation on their lands in order that there
might be enough taxes raised to run the municipality.
31 r. McGregor. Is it a fact that you, Cayetano Topacio, were the administrator of
the. water works in the old days of the hacienda?
Senor Topacio. No, sir.
Mr. McGregor. I was always told that he was.
Governor Taft. You are now justice of the peace?
Senor Topacio. No, sir; I had charges preferred against me, but I was acquitted
of the charges.
TESTIMONY OF GUILLERMO TIRONA.
Governor Taft. What is your name?
Senor Tirona. Guillermo Tirona.
Governor Taft. Are you related to the secretary of the province?
Senor Tirona. Yes, sir; his nephew.
Governor Taft. Do you live in Imus?
Senor Tirona. Yes, sir.
Governor Taft. Do you occupy any land there, and cultivate it?
Senor Tirona. Yes, sir.
Governor Taft. How much?
Seiior Tirona. About 23 hectares in Imus, besides some lands at Desmarines.
Governor Taft. How much at Desmarines?
Senor Tirona. About'7 or 8 hectares.
Governor Taft. When you were paying canon to the administrator, how much
was it per hectare for the land that you own in Imus?
Seiior Tirona. I will begin by saying that the canon has changed a great deal. At
first it was a very moderate one which I paid, but in recent years I paid a very
excessive canon amounting to 22 cavanes per hectare. Aside from this 1 had to pay
for the mango trees and the sugar cane.
Governor Taft. How much did you pay for the mango trees?
Senor Tirona. Twenty-five cents Mexican for each tree.
Governor Taft. How much did you pay for the sugar cane?
Senor Tirona. There was also a great variation in the amount that they charged
upon sugar cane, but on sugar cane which would occupy an extent of territory equal
to about 300 acres they charged 5 pesos. Still, in the year 1880 it was very much less.
Governor Taft. How much of the land that you own and cultivate is rice land?
Senor Tirona. Nearly all of the land is rice land; but along the edges of the land
are planted mango trees and bamboos.
Archbishop Guidi. Have you any receipts showing that you paid 22 cavanes for a
hectare of land as canon, or can you show any document stating that that would be
the amount of canon exacted from you?
Seiior Tirona. No, sir; I have no receipt. During the insurrection all those docu-
ments were lost.
Governor Taft. How many cavanes of rice per hectare will the land that you own
in Imus produce a year?
Seiior Tirona. In recent years, without taking into consideration the years when
the crop was a total failure, the land would produce on an average about 40 cavanes
per hectare, but formerly it used to produce a great deal more, as the land was more
fertile.
Archbishop Guidi. Explain why it is that this land has lost .its fertility in a space
of five years, when it had been cultivated for over two centuries and had produced
good crops.
Senor Tirona. Perhaps it was on account of the age of the land that it had lost its
fertility.
Archbishop Guidi. How can that be, if for two centuries it produced good crops
and now it has lost its fertility in five years? At that rate, in ten years it will lose
it altogether.
Seiior Tirona. Perhaps it was owing to other circumstances of the times.
Archbishop Guidi. Perhaps you do not work it properly.
Governor Taft. You say that in later times you paid 22 cavanes a hectare. What
was the normal amount that you paid as a canon?
war 1903— vol 5 13
194 REPORT OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION.
Senor Tirona. About thirty-five years ago my fathers paid from 8 to 12 or 15
cavanes.
Archbishop Guidi. Explain why it was that they paid such a very small canon in
former years when the land, according to your own statement, produced a great
deal more than at the present time, and why it was that they paid such a much
larger canon at this time, when the land, according to your own statement, produced
a great deal less.
Senor Tirona. It was because they simply had to submit to orders. The man
who had the authority simply ordered them to do something and they had to com-
ply with those orders.
Archbishop Guidi. Have you a receipt or any sort of a document showing that
you either had paid that money or that canon was exacted from you?
Senor Tirona. No. During the insurrection I lost all my papers and documents.
Archbishop Guidi. Were all the houses burned during the insurrection?
Senor Tirona. We were glad to get away with our own lives.
Friar Martin. Would you agree that the lists or the books of the company were
correct with regard to the amount of canon that was paid? Would you take that as
proof?
Senor Tirona. I would, but these books or lists would contain the canon by kinons
and balatas.
Friar Martin. In that case, if you agree that the books and the lists kept by the
company were correct, then you would also have to agree that you have not told the
truth here with regard to the amount of canon that was paid, and the governor would
be satisfied that he had not told the truth. With regard to this, I myself am not a
Recoleto nor am I interested in the order, but I know that I can produce those books
of the company and show them.
Governor Taft. How did they keep the books?
Mr. McGregor. They had a duplicate receipt book; one was kept and the other
was given to the man who paid.
Governor Taft. What amount of money did it cost you to plant the seed in the
ground, to gather the crop and garner it — the total expenses, including everything?
Senor Tirona. I do not know. Most of the expenses were paid by the lessee of
the ground, and I only had some of those expenses to pay myself, so I could not
calculate what the entire expense would be from the time the seed was planted until
the time the crop was garnered.
Friar Martin. Can you not recollect the amount of expenses that it cost you for
cultivating the ground and gathering the crop?
Senor Tirona. I spent 4 pesos a hectare for the seeding of the ground and from 75
cents to a peso for the harrowing of the ground. That would make on an average,
perhaps, my share of the expenses as 5 pesos a hectare; but I do not count in this
the cartage to the storehouse in the pueblo, and I have not been able to say yet what
that will cost me. These expenses were divided between me and another man who
was my partner and shared the profits, who worked the land. I am the lessee.
Friar Martin. What would be your share of the net profits when you had a crop
of 40 cavanes per hectare?
Senor Tirona. About 5 cavanes. I am unable to fix the exact value of the profits
that would accrue to me, because that varied with the variation of the price of rice.
Friar Martin. I did not ask about the money that you got, but the amount of
cavanes that you got when the crop was 40 cavanes. Is it not true that you had
the option of paying your canon either in palay or in money, and if so, how much
did you pay or how much were you expected to pay in money during the last year
of the administration?
Senor Tirona. That varied. The amount of money we had to pay was according
to the price of rice.
Friar Martin. Could you not remember in any year what the amount of money
was that you had to pay if you should prefer to pay in money instead of rice?
Senor Tirona. No; I do not remember.
Friar Martin. It never went beyond 9 reals a cavan of rice. I can show that by
the books of the company.
Senor Tirona. I remember that during the time of Balatino Balanes they put a
very excessive price on the canon that we were obliged to pay, that is to say, a
money price on the cavanes.
• Friar Martin. How long ago was that?
Senor Tirona. A little over twenty years ago.
Archbishop Guidi. You have a very remarkable memory, in that you remember
an incident of twenty years ago and are unable to remember what happened two or
three years ago.
Senor Tirona, I remember it because it wras a very memorable occasion.
REPORT OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION. 195
Friar Martin. The witness has stated that he paid as a canon 22 cavanes of rice.
Now, if we take the gross product of a cavan of ground as 40 cavanes of rice we will
have left 18 cavanes. The witness has been unable to state the cost of planting and
gathering and garnering the crop of palay; but in Cavite Province, according to the
facts in my possession, they amount to the equivalent of 16 to 17 cavanes of rice with
rice at 10 reals a cavan. As they paid in rice it is a sign that the rice was not worth
over 10 reals. If it had been worth more than 10 reals they would have paid in
money. If we make a calculation, they would nave netted, at the most, between
him and his profit sharer working the land, 3 cavanes to divide, supposing that he
has told the truth. But he has stated that his share of the profits was 5 cavanes;
that is, his own share, which was half of the net profits for both of them.
Governor Taft. But he said that the expenses were about 5 pesos, didn't he?
Senor Tieona. The subtenant had a great many more expenses, because he had to
provide the plows and carabaos.
Governor Taft. The custom, as testified here, is that they divided the expenses
and then divided the crop.
Friar Maetin. The general custom is that they used to subtract the expenses from
the gross product, first paying the canon, then subtracting the expenses, and then
dividing the net profits.
Governor Taft. So that if his expenses were $5 that would make $10 for both of
them?
Friar Maetin. No, sir.
Governor Taft. And that would leave 8 pesos to divide, according to the witness.
Friar Maetin. Then you state that you can cultivate a hectare of ground at an
expense of 10 pesos, gathering the crop and all expenses.
Sen or Tieona . The custom was a little bit different in my town. The tenant there,
not the subtenant, paid the expense of seeding, $4, and 75 cents to a peso for the
working of the ground after the seed was in, which would make, say, an average of 5
pesos; but besides that he had to pay the cartage. The cartage is hard to calculate;
it depends on the distance between the warehouse and the place where the rice is
grown.
Archbishop Guidi. I would like to know the exact cost of cultivating 1 hectare.
Senor Tieona. I am unable to state, because it varies a great deal, but I have tried
to explain the expenses that I had to pay and the expenses that my partner had to
pay. He had to pay the expense of putting in the seed, then the expense of har-
rowing, and also the expense of hauling the grain from the land to the granary.
This partner was obliged to pay all other incidental expenses, also the expense of
reaping the crop and gathering it; but I am unable to state what those expenses of
my partner amounted to in money.
Governor Taft. Did you hear what Friar Martin said with reference to the time
that he paid 22 cavanes as the canon? He said this: The total product was 40 cavanes;
you paid 22 as the canon, and the total expenses would be 16. That left only 2
cavanes to be divided between you and your partner. Is that correct?
Senor Tieona. My expenses amounted to about 5 pesos on an average, and the
other expenses which were borne by my partner, the subtenant, were those of reap-
ing and other incidental expenses which he bore.
Governor Taft. What is your land in Imus worth a hectare?
Senor Tirona. Part of the lands I inherited from my father and part of the lands,
about 15 hectares, I bought about fifteen years ago for 80 pesos a hectare.
Governor Taft. From whom did you buy it?
Senor Tieona. A man named Bias Heda, now dead.
Governor Taft. Was he paying a canon to the Recoletos? *
Senor Tieona. I believe so.
Governor Taft. What you paid, therefore, was 80 pesos for the right to occupy the
land?
Senor Tieona. In the deed of conveyance for which I paid the possession of the
land was also given to me.
Governor Taft. And that at the rate of 80 pesos a hectare?
Senor Tieona. Yes, sir; more or less.
Archbishop Guidi. Upon the payment of your 80 pesos per hectare for that piece
of property which was conveyed to you, did you get the ownership of the property,
or did you simply get possession of the property?
Senor Tieona. The deed of conveyance that was issued to me states, according to
my idea — I am not a lawyer nor do I understand anything about legal terms — that
it gives me possession of the land.
Archbishop Guidi. Can you dispose of this land? Can you sell it or do as you
please with it?
196 KEPOKT OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION.
Senor Tirona. It has been the custom among the residents of that town having
property to convey possession of it by deeds.
Archbishop Guidi. It is a loss of time to examine this witness. I do not wish to
question him any more.
Governor Tapt. We understand what he means and what he does not want to say,
but that is a question we are not trying here. The question is one of value. I want
to ask him what that land is worth now.
Senor Tirona. I have not tried to sell.
Governor Taft. Suppose you were to buy that land free from the necessity of pay-
ing any canon?
Senor Tirona. It would be worth somewhat more on that account.
Governor Taft. How much?
Senor Tirona. I can not calculate; I do not know.
Governor Taft. Have you first or second class land?
Senor Tirona. I have both first and second class land.
Governor Taft. What is the first-class land worth?
Senor Tirona. It depends upon circumstances, what the land is worth. Seven
years ago it was worth about 80 pesos a hectare, but lately there have been no sales
of land. Still, I would think it might be worth about 90 pesos. It depends altogether
on the necessity of the seller for disposing of his property. Possibly it might be
worth 100 pesos a hectare.
Governor Taft. Have you made a tax return on that land?
Senor Tirona. Yes, sir.
Governor Taft. How much did you return the land as worth?
Senor Tirona. A little over 100 pesos a hectare.
Governor Taft. That was your declaration as proprietor, was it?
Senor Tirona. Yes, sir. The board of municipal assessors afterwards changed it
and converted my valuation into gold.
Governor Taft. Did they make it $100 gold?
Senor Tirona. They converted my declaration into gold because the board saw
that the valuation which I had placed upon it would not enable the municipality to
collect enough taxes to keep up expenses.
TESTIMONY OF FELIZ CUENTA.
Governor Taft. What is your name?
Senor Cuenta. Feliz Cuenta.
Governor Taft. Where do you live?
Senor Cuenta. In Bacoor.
Governor Taft. Bacoor is in the hacienda of San Juan?
Senor Cuenta. Yes, sir; but the pueblo itself is in the San Nicolas estate.
Governor Taft. Have you any land there?
Senor Cuenta. I am the presidente of the town and I am not a tenant of the town
now, but I have some land of my own.
Governor Taft. How much?
Senor Cuenta. About 30 cavanes of land.
Governor Taft. Is it rice land?
Senor Cuenta. Yes, sir.
Governor Taft. How long have you held it?
Senor Cuenta. Some of the land I inherited from my father and some I have
bought.
Governor Taft. Did your father pay a canon on the land?
Senor Cuenta. No, sir; the land to which I refer is land which belongs to the
municipality.
Governor Taft. Is it first-class or second-class rice land?
Senor Cuenta. They are not first-class lands because they are subject to rainfall,
and when the rain does not fall there is no crop.
Governor Taft. How much do they produce in a good year?
Senor Cuenta. From 25 to 30 cavanes. They are not first-class lands; they are
lands that are near the center of the town; they are not irrigated lands.
Governor Taft. And you raise from them in normal years from 25 to 30 cavanes?
Senor Cuenta. Yes, sir.
Governor Taft. Are you familiar with first-class lands in that part? Do you know
first-class lands?
Senor Cuenta. Yes, sir; more or less.
Governor Taft. What do you consider your land worth?
Senor Cuenta. As these lands of mine have no burden on them whatever except
the land tax, I consider them to be worth about 100 pesos Mexican a hectare, and I
place this valuation upon them because they are near town.
REPORT OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION. 197
Governor Taft. How does that compare in value with the first-class lands on the
estates, assuming that there is no canon to pay and no burden of any sort except the
land tax?
Senor Ouenta. It would be about the same.
Governor Taft. But is not first-class land on the estate worth more than your land
that is not irrigated?
Senor Cuenta. They are worth 100 pesos a hectare for the reason that the lands in
the estate are farther away from the town. You have to take that fact into con-
sideration. You must also remember that those classifications of first class, second
class, and third class were made by the administrators of the estates themselves.
Governor Taft. Isn't there first-class land in the estate just as near the town as
your land?
Senor Cuenta. No, sir; as all my lands are within the populated limits of the town.
Governor Taft. Isn't there first-class land up near Imus?
Senor Cuenta. At the barrio of Mambo, where there is plenty of water, there are
good first-class lands.
Governor Taft. Isn't that near Imus?
Senor Cuenta. Right adjacent to Imus.
Governor Taft. What is that land worth?
Senor Cuenta. About 150 pesos; I do not know for certain.
Governor Taft. How much will first-class land produce?
Senor Cuenta. From 40 to 50 cavanes.
Archbishop Guidi. How much do yours produce?
Senor Cuenta. Twenty-five to thirty.
Mr. McGregor. Without irrigation?
Senor Cuenta. Yes, sir.
Governor Taft. How many crops, on that first-class land, do they produce in two
years?
Senor Cuenta. Each year, one.
Archbishop Guidi. Have they never gathered two crops in one year?
Senor Cuenta. In my town, so far as I know, I have never seen two crops. I have
never heard of two crops in Imus.
Mr. McGregor. Your pariente, Juan Cuenta, who used to be the presidente, has
land that is irrigated from this large dam called the Place de Malina. Does that
only produce 40 to 50 cavanes? They have as much water as they require, of course.
Senor Cuenta. Perhaps they produce about that much. There are some years
when they might have produced more and some less.
Governor Taft. How much more?
Senor Cuenta. I suppose that that is about as high as they reach. I do not know.
I have heard from others who possessed land around there that they would produce
from 40 to 50.
Governor Taft. Has not your cousin produced three crops in two years?
Seiior Cuenta. No, sir.
Governor Taft. Do you own first-class land?
Seiior Cuenta. I do not know whether they are first-class lands or not; they are at
the barrio of Ligas and the water from the dam reaches the land.
Mr. McGregor. Then you put a value of about $100 Mexican on the first-class land
there?
Senor Cuenta. I have not said so.
Archbishop Guidi. What is the value of first-class land?
Seiior Cuenta. Perhaps it may be worth over 100 pesos.
Governor Taft. Did you not say it was worth 150 pesos? >
Senor Cuenta. Yes; if they are well irrigated.
Mr. McGregor. Do you consider your land, under the usual way of classifying
land, third-class land?
Senor Cuenta. You can not classify these lands, as they are not irrigated lands,
and when it does not rain they have very little value.
Mr. McGregor. We look upon that as third class. Do you know a man named
A. Tolentino? He has lands in the district of San Nicolas. The reason I ask this
question is that there is a man named Tolentino who has 14,707 meters of land and
he values it at 8325 gold.
Seiior Cuenta. I do not know him; there are a great many Tolentinos.
Mr. McGregor. That is a price that I got from the book in Cavite; I do not quite
understand it. They call it improved palay land. Perhaps the man has got a dam
on it or something of that sort.
Governor Taft. What did you return your land at?
Senor Cuenta. I, together with several other prominent citizens of the town of
Bacoor, had agreed to fix a high valuation upon our real estate there in order to help
198 REPORT OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION.
out the municipality in its running expenses for schools, general improvements, etc. ,
and for that reason I put a value of 200 pesos a hectare on my land. It was, how-
ever, with the understanding that this high valuation would be reduced when the
necessities of the municipality would not be as great as they are at present.
Governor Taft. Was it $100 gold that you put on it?
Senor Cuenta. Two hundred dollars Mexican.
Governor Taft. And they reduced it to gold?
Senor Cuenta. No, sir; they have not reduced it to gold.
Governor Taft. Haven't they been ordered to reduce everything to gold?
Senor Cuenta. The tax board has not changed the valuation put upon the land
by the property owners in their declarations, though it has converted them to gold
at the rate of exchange. We increased it, in other words.
Governor Taft. Did they not transfer it to gold at the rate of two to one?
Senor Cuenta. This conversion was made by the treasurer; the boards did not do
it at all. It is done in Cavite itself.
Mr. McGregor. Have you any salt lands?
Senor Cuenta. Yes, sir.
Mr. McGregor. How much?
Senor Cuenta. Perhaps each salt pit may be less than a hectare. I nave 12 of
these salt pits, about 12 hectares.
Mr. McGregor. What do you value your salt lands per hectare at?
Senor Cuenta. That is according to the condition of the salt pit. Some land is
better than other.
Mr. McGregor. But taking average land?
Senor Cuenta. From 250 to 300 pesos for each salt pit, more or less.
Mr. McGregor. I wanted to get at his price, because we have some salt lands.
TESTIMONY OF GREGORIO BAUTISTA.
Governor Taft. What is your name?
' Senor Bautista. Gregorio Bautista.
Governor Taft. Where do you live?
Senor Bautista. Dasmarihas.
Governor Taft. Do you hold any lands in Dasmarinas?
Senor Bautista. Yes; I am in possession of lands at Dasmarinas.
Governor Taft. How much?
Senor Bautista. I have two classes of land — one irrigated and the other not irri-
gated.
Governor Taft. How much irrigated?
Senor Bautista. Two cavanes.
Governor Taft. How much unirrigated?
Senor Bautista. About 3 cavanes, I should calculate.
Governor Taft. Is that irrigated land first-class land?
Senor Bautista. I can not state with regard to the classification of the land.
Governor Taft. How much will it produce?
Senor Bautista. In the good times, 50 cavanes.
Governor Taft. How much does the unirrigated land produce?
Senor Bautista. I have not cultivated it to palay at all. I cultivate it to corn.
Before the revolution I also planted some sugar cane, but not since then.
Archbishop Guidi. Did you in the best of times, or at any time, get more than 50
cavanes per hectare from your land?
Senor Bautista. Never.
Archbishop Guidi. Did you ever get two crops from that land?
Senor Bautista. No; never.
Governor Taft. Have you returned your land for taxation?
Senor Bautista. Yes, sir.
Governor Taft. At what price did you return it?
Senor Bautista. Some at 75 and some 80 pesos Mexican a cavan. •
Governor Taft. Do you think that is about the right value?
Senor Bautista. To the best of my knowledge and understanding that is the right
price.
Governor Taft. How much did you declare the unirrigated land at?
Senor Bautista. I returned it at 5 pesos, because the land has not been cultivated
for a number of years and it is now overgrown with vegetation.
Mr. McGregor. Is there much sugar land in the vicinity of Dasmarinas?
Senor Bautista. There are two or three landowners at the present time who are
cultivating sugar cane.
Mr. McGregor. I think that Senor Villegas said that there was none.
Adjourned.
EXHIBIT G.
DETAILED AND SUMMARIZED STATEMENTS OF THE VALUATIONS
OF THE FRIARS' ESTATES BY SENOR VILLEGAS.
Tlie friar lands as surveyed by the expert appointed by the Philippine Commission.
ESTATES OF THE DOMINICANS.
Binan (3,739 hectares 10 ares 15 centares):
Kice lands of the first class, 2,039 hectares 10 ares 15 Mexican currency.
centares, at $150 a hectare $305, 865. 22
Sugar lands of the first class, 1,700 hectares, at $100
a hectare 170, 000. 00
Dams and dikes, according to present condition 12, 000. 00
Farmhouse, according to present condition 10, 000. 00
$497, 865. 22
Calamba (16,424 hectares 14 ares):
Rice lands of the first class, 3,991 hectares, at $150
a hectare 598,650.00
Rice lands of the second class, 883 hectares, at $125
a hectare 110, 375. 00
Rice lands of the third class, 883 hectares, at $80 a
hectare 70, 640. 00
Sugar lands, 4, 626 hectares, at $60 a hectare 277, 200. 00
Uncultivated lands, 6,036 hectares, at $5 a hectare. . . 30, 181. 20
Farmhouse, as per present condition 15, 000. 00
1,102,046.20
Lolomboy, Polo, Bulacan (106 hectares 53 ares):
Rice lands and building lots (improved lots) of the
first class, at $150 15,979.50
Lolomboy, « Bocaue, Bulacan (4,158 — 9 — 66 hectares):
Rice lands of the first class, 3,326 hectares 69 ares 46
centares, at $200 665, 338. 92
Building lots, 164—45—67 hectares, at $125 20, 557. 09
Fisheries, 19—40—70 hectares, at $250 4, 851. 75
Uncultivated lands, 647 — 53 — 83 hectares, at $5 a
hectare 3, 237. 69
Improvements, farmhouse, and warehouses for rice. . 40, 000. 00
733, 985. 45
Naic (7,922 hectares and 29 ares) :
Rice lands of the first class, 3,119 hectares 28 ares, at
$200 a hectare 623,856.00
Building lots in the town, 40 hectares 1 are, at $200
a hectare 8, 020. 00
Uncultivated woodlands, 4,763 hectares, at $5 a hec-
tare 23, 81 5. 00
Improvements of dams, dikes, and tunnels, accord-
ing to present condition 90, 305. 76
Farmhouse and warehouses for the storing of rice. . 25, 000. 00
770, 996. 76
a Lolomboy, Polo, Bulacan (second) (65—19—50 hectares): Rice lands and build-
ing lots of the first class, at $150, $9,779.28. Omitted in error and added to the
grand total.
199
200 REPORT OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION.
Orion (2,109 — 57 — 24 hectares): Mexican currency.
Rice lands of the second class, 375 hectares, at $100 a
hectare $37, 500. 00
Sugar lands, 278 hectares, at $120 a hectare 33, 360. 00
Improved lots (building lots) in the town, 260 hec-
tares, at $125 a hectare 32,500.00
Uncultivated waste lands, 1,196 hectares 57 ares and
24 centares, at $5 5,982.00
$109, 342. 00
Santa Cruz de Malabon (8,902—37—50 hectares):
Rice lands of the first class, 4,001 hectares, at $150 a
hectare 600, 150. 00
Improved lots in the town, 40 hectares, at $200 a
hectare 8, 000. 00
Uncultivated lands, 4,861 — 37 — 50 hectares, at $5 a
hectare 24, 306. 87
Improvements, dams, and dikes 50, 000. 00
682, 456. 87
Santa Maria de Pandi (12,069—57—2 hectares):
Rice lands, class 1, 1,016 hectares, at $200 a hectare. 203, 200. 00
Rice lands, class 2, 1,503 hectares, at $150 a hectare. 225, 450. 00
Rice lands, class 3, 675 hectares, at $100 a hectare . . 67, 500. 00
Rice lands, class 4, 1,400 hectares, at $75 a hectare. . 105, 000. 00
Rice lands, class 5, 1,450 hectares, at $50 a hectare. . 72, 500. 00
Uncultivated mountain lands, fields, and woodlands,
6,025 hectares 57 ares and 26 centares, at $25 a
hectare 150,639.00
824, 289. 00
Santa Rosa (4,750—14—24 hectares):
Rice lands, first class, 1,000 — 14 — 24 hectares, at $175
a hectare 175,024.90
Rice lands, second class, 1,310 hectares, at $150 a
hectare 193, 500. 00
Rice lands, third class, 130 hectares, at $100 a hec-
tare 13,000.00
Sugar lands, first class, 1,010 hectares, at $150 a hec-
tare 151, 500. 00
Sugar lands, second class, 1,300 hectares, at $100 a
hectare 130,000.00
Farmhouse, in present condition 25, 000. 00
Dams and dikes, in present condition 12, 000. 00
700, 024. 90
San Juan del Monte (156 — 49 — 35 hectares) :
Rice lands of the second class, 106 hectares, at $125
a hectare 13, 250. 00
Improved lots, inside and outside the town, 50 — 49 —
35 hectares, at $100 a hectare 5,049.00
io 299 00
Toro (58—23—30 hectares):
Rice lands and sugar lands, 58 hectares 23 ares and 30 centares,
at $150 a hectare 8,734.95
ESTATES OP THE AUGUSTINIANS.
Banilad or Talamban (1,538 — 43 hectares):
Rice lands, "aventureras," of the first class, 319 hec-
tares, at$300 95,700.00
Rice lands of the second class, 345 hectares, at $200 a
hectare 69, 000. 00
Improved lots in the town, with cocals, 96 hectares,
$200 a hectare 19, 200. 00
Uncultivated lands, 778 hectares and 43 ares, at $15
a hectare 11, 676. 45
195, 576. 45
Dampol, Quincua (962 hectares):
Rice lands and sugar lands of the first class, 902 — 74 —
46 hectares, at $150 a hectare 135, 411 . 69
Improved lots, 60 hectares, at $125 a hectare 7, 500. 00
142,911.69
REPORT OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION. 201
Mandalova (4,033 hectares): Mexican currency.
Eice 'lands, class 1, 570 hectares, at $150 a hectare. . . $85, 500. 00
Eice lands, class 2, 720 hectares, at $125 a hectare. . . 90, 000. 00
Eice lands, class three, 1,080 hectares, at $100 a hec-
tare 108, 000. 00
Uncultivated lands, quarries, and lands used in the
manufacture of brick, 1,663 hectares, at $25 a hec-
tare 41,575.00
Farmhouse of Mandalova 50,000.00
$375, 075. 00
Muntinlupa (5,397 hectares and 84 ares):
Eice lands, class 2, "aventureras," 800 hectares, at
$100 a hectare 80, 000. 00
Eice lands of the third class, "a venture ras," 700 hec-
tares and 84 ares, at $75 a hectare 52, 500. 00
Eice lands of the fourth class, ' ' aventureras, ' ' 500
hectares, at $50 a hectare 25,000.00
Uncultivated lands, 3,397 hectares, at $5 a hectare.. 16, 985. 00
■ 174, 485. 00
Malinta (3,432 hectares):
Eice lands, class 1, 650 hectares, at $200 a hectare. . . 130, 000. 00
Eice lands, class 2, 1,620 hectares, at $150 a hectare. 243, 000. 00
Eice lands, class 3, 182 hectares, at $100 a hectare. , 18, 200. 00
Mountain lands, uncultivated, 980 hectares, at $5 a
hectare 4,900.00
Improvements 5, 000. 00
401, 100. 00
Tala (5,197 hectares):
Eice lands, class 1, 884 hectares, at $150 a hectare. . . 132, 600. 00
Eice lands, class 2, 209 hectares, at $125 a hectare. . . 26, 125. 00
Eice lands, class 3, 209 hectares, at $100 a hectare. . . 20, 900. 00
Uncultivated mountain lands, 3,895 hectares, at $5 a
hectare 19, 475. 00
Improvements 5, 000. 00
204, 100. 00
Piedad (3,604 hectares):
Eice lands, class 1, 568 hectares, at $200 113, 600. 00
Eice lands, class 2, 1,069 hectares, at $150 160, 350. 00
Eice lands, class 3, 127 hectares, at $100 12, 700. 00
Uncultivated mountain lands, 1,840 hectares, at $5 a
hectare 9,200.00
Improvements 5, 000. 00
300, 850. 00
San Francisco de Malabon (13,000 hectares):
Eice lands of the first class, 6,500 hectares, at $150
a hectare 975,000.00
Improved lots, 50 hectares, at $200 a hectare 10, 000. 00
Uncultivated lands, 6,450 hectares, at $5 a hectare. . 32, 250. 00
Improvements, dams, dikes, tunnels, in their present
condition 100, 000. 00
1,117,250.00
Binagbag (294 hectares): x
Eice lands and sugar lands, 260 hectares, at $125 a
hectare 32, 500. 00
Uncultivated lands, 34 hectares, at $5 a hectare 170. 00
32, 670. 00
Talisay and Minglanilla (7,362—90 hectares) :
Cultivated lands of the first class, in cane, for sugar
and maize, 1,820 hectares, at $300 a hectare 546, 000. 00
Cultivated lands of the second class, rice and cocal,
886 hectares, at S200 a hectare 177, 200. 00
Cultivated lands of the third class, in improved lots,
with cecals, 930 hectares, at 8150 a hectare 139, 500. 00
Uncultivated lands, with cocals, 3,726 hectares and
90 ares, at $25 a hectare 93, 182. 50
Two warehouses, with a steam engine for sugar 47, 000. 00
One house of solid construction 6, 000. 00
1 . 008, 882. 50
202
REPORT OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION.
Quingua (10—21—33 hectares) : Mexican currency.
Rice lands and sugar lands, 10 — 21 — 33 hectares, at $150 a hectare. . $1, 531. 99
Calumpit (74—82 — 95 hectares) :
Rice and sugar lands, 74—82—95 hectares, at $150 a hectare 11, 224. 42
Barascoain (54 — 29 — 57 hectares):
Rice and sugar lands, 54 — 29 — 57 hectares, at $150 a hectare 8, 144. 35
Santa Isabel (38—83—49 hectares):
Rice and sugar lands, 38 — 83 — 49 hectares, at $150 a hectare 5, 825. 23
Santa Isabel (Anibon) — (65 — 33 — 52 hectares):
Rice and sugar lands, 65—33—52 hectares, at $150 a hectare 9, 800. 28
Guiguinto (241 — 42 — 94 hectares):
Rice and sugar lands, 241—42—94 hectares, at $200 a hectare 48, 285. 88
Guiguinto (Malapat) (7— -20 — 8 hectares):
Rice and sugar lands, 7 — 20—8 hectares, at $150 a hectare 1,080.12
Guiguinto (Recoleto) (456 — 95 — 16 hectares):
Rice and sugar lands, 456 — 95 — 16 hectares, at $150 a hectare 68, 542. 74
In the province of Isabela (23,000 hectares) :
This estate is wholly uncultivated, but is worth, according to the
evidence of Mr. Weber, manager of the Tabacalera Company,
who is very familiar with prices in Isabela and this particular
estate 300,000.00
ESTATES OF THE RECOLETOS.
San Juan and San Nicolas (18,419 — 56 — 12 hectares):
Rice lands of the first class, 4,480 hectares, 98 ares,
and 29 centares, at $150 a hectare $672, 147. 43
Rice lands of the second class, 4,480 hectares, 99 ares,
and 9 centares, at $100 a hectare 448, 099. 09
Rice lands of the third class, 4,482 hectares, 1 are,
and 10 centares, at $75 a hectare 336, 150. 82
Improved lots in the town, 109 — 50 hectares, at $58.90
a hectare 6, 450. 00
Ditto outside the town, 109—38 hectares, at $125 a
hectare 13, 672. 50
Uncultivated mountain lands, 4,756 — 69 — 64 hectares,
at $5 a hectare 23, 783. 48
Dams, dikes, and tunnels in their present condition. 80, 000. 00
Farmhouse and warehouses for the storing of rice. . . 25, 000. 00
1,605,303.33
San Juan, Mindoro (23,266 hectares) :
The price fixed by the agent of the Recoletos and an actual offer
made for sale to a syndicate of business men in Manila and not
accepted was $700,000 Mexican 600, 000. 00
Total 12,076,658.83
Lolomboy (see footnote, page 1) 9, 779. 28
Grand total 12, 086, 438. 11
Summarized statement of the extent and value of the friar lands in the Philippine Islands.
Hectares.
Mexican cur-
rency.
ESTATES OF THE DOMINICANS.
Binan, Laguna Province
3, 739. 10. 15
16, 424. 14. 00
106. 53. 00
65. 19. 50
4, 158. 09. 66
7, 922, 29. 00
2, 109. 57. 24
8, 902. 37. 50
12, 069. 57. 02
4, 750. 14. 24
156. 49. 35
58. 23. 30
$497, 865. 22
Calamba, Laguna Province
1, 102, 046. 20
Lolomboy:
Malandav, Polo. Bulacan
15, 979. 50
Pasolo, Polo, Bulacan
9, 779. 28
Bocaue, Bulacan, Province
733, 985. 45
770, 996. 76
Orion, Bataan Province
109, 342. 00
Santa Cruz de Malabon, Cavite Province
682, 456. 87
Santa Maria de Pandi, Bulacan Province
824,289.00
Santa Rosa, Laguna Province
700, 024. 90
San Juan del Monte, Rizal Province
18, 299. 00
8, 734. 95
Total
60,461.73.96
5, 473, 799. 13
REPORT OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION.
203
Hectares.
Mexican cur-
rency.
ESTATES OF THE AUGUSTINIANS
Banilad or Talamban. province of Cebu
Dampol, Quincua, Bulacan Province
Mandaloya, Bizal Province
Muntinlupa. Rizal Province
Malinta, Bulacan Province
Tala. Rizal Province
Piedad, Rizal Province
San Francisco de Malabon, Cavite
Binagbag, Bulacan Province
Talisay and Minganilla, Cebu
Quingua, Bulacan Province
Calumpit, Bulacan Province
Barascoain, Bulacan Province
Santa Isabel:
Daquila, Bulacan
Anibon, Bulacan
Guiguinto:
Alang-ilang. Bulacan
Malapat, Bulacan
Recoleto, Bulacan
Estate in the province of Isabela
Total
ESTATES OF THE RECOLETOS.
San Juan and San Nicolas, Cavite
San Juan, Mindoro Province
Total
Grand total:
Estates of the Dominicans
Estates of the Augustinians
Estates of the Recoletos ,
Final total
1, 538.
962.
4, 033.
5, 397.
3,432.
5, 197.
3, 604.
13, 000.
294.
7, 362.
10.
74.
54.
43.00
00.00
00.00
84.00
00.00
00.00
00.00
00.00
00.00
90.00
21.33
82. 95
29.57
38.83.49
65.33.52
241. 42. 94
7. 20. 08
456. 95. 16
23, 000. 00. 00
770. 26. 04
18, 419. 56. 12
23, 266. 00. 00
41, 685. 56. 12
60, 461. 73. 96
68,770.26.04
41, 685. 56. 12
170,917.56.12
$195,
142,
375,
174,
401,
204,
300,
1,117,
32,
1,008,
1,
11,
576. 45
911. 69
075. 00
485. 00
100. 00
100. 00
850. 00
250. 00
670. 00
882. 50
531.99
224. 42
144.35
5, 825. 23
9,800.28
48,285.88
1,080.12
68, 542. 74
300, 000. 00
4,407,335.65
1,605.303.33
600, 000. 00
2, 205, 303. 33
5, 473, 799. 13
4,407,335.65
2,205,303.33
12,086,438.11
In acres, 422,337.29; 1 hectare equals 2.471 acres.
EXHIBIT H.
AGREEMENTS TO CONVEY THE FRIARS' LANDS TO THE GOVERN-
MENT OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.
AGREEMENT OF THE BRITISH-MANILA ESTATES COMPANY, LIMITED, TO CONVEY
TO THE GOVERNMENT OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS THE ESTATES OF SAN
JUAN AND SAN NICOLAS, PROVINCE OF CAVITE.
Manila, December 22, 1903.
The British-Manila Estates Company, Limited, a corporation duly organized under
the laws of , hereby agrees to sell and convey to the government of the Phil-
ippine Islands the two haciendas of San Juan and San Nicolas, in the town of Imus,
known usually as the Imus estate, in the province of Cavite, consisting of eighteen
thousand four hundred and nineteen (18,419) hectares, fifty-six (56) ares, and twelve
(12) centares, formerly the property of the Recoleto order in the Philippines.
This sale and conveyance shall include all the dwelling houses, farmhouses, ware-
houses, camarines, and other buildings, including sugar and rice mills and machin-
ery, irrigation work, dams, tunnels, ditches, and all other improvements, together
wTith all water and other rights, and all hereditaments belonging to the British-Manila
Estates Company, Limited, on every part of the estates hereby agreed to be con-
veyed; and the British-Manila Estates Company, Limited, agrees that it has a good
and merchantable title to all the lands and buildings hereby conveyed, duly regis-
tered according to the laws of the Philippine Islands; that it will produce its title
deeds for examination by the counsel for the Philippine government as soon as prac-
ticable after the signing of this contract, and that it will convey such lands and build-
ings absolutely and in fee simple, in accordance with this contract, by giving a
sufficient deed of general warranty of title to the Philippine government.
The British-Manila Estates Company, Limited, further agrees to furnish to the
Philippine government all its books, papers, and other documents which it has
either in its possession or under its control bearing upon its ownership or the owner-
ship of its predecessors in title to the lands herein agreed to be conveyed, which
shall, in the opinion of the counsel for the Philippine government, be useful to such
government in determining who are the rightful tenants on the property, and in
showing, in case of litigation, the lawful and peaceable possession of the British-
Manila Estates Company, Limited, or its predecessors in title, and especially in show-
ing the lawful and peaceable possession of the Kecoleto order in the Philippines
during the sovereignty of Spain.
The British-Manila Estates Company (Limited), further agrees to aid the Philippine
government in every way by procuring oral or documentary evidence needed in con-
firming the title hereby conveyed or by showing where such evidence can be procured.
The British-Manila Estates Company (Limited), hereby further agrees that the
government of the Philippine Islands may at its own expense make such surveys of
the hacienda or haciendas herein agreed to be conveyed as it sees fit in order to
determine whether the superficial area of the hacienda or haciendas according to the
description thereof in the title deeds is the same as that stated above.
The British-Manila Estates Company (Limited), also hereby agrees to assign and
transfer to the government of the Philippine Islands all claims for rents for use of
land or buildings herein agreed to be conveyed due to the British-Manila Estates
Company (Limited), from tenants which are now uncollected, together with all claims
for rents accruing between the date hereof and the consummation of the sale herein
agreed to be made, except such rents as may be owing by the United States Govern-
ment to the said company for the occupation of its houses by United States troops;
nor shall this agreement affect the alleged claim which the British-Manila Estates
Company (Limited), has against the civil government of the Philippine Islands or the
province of Cavite for material used upon roads constructed in the province of Cavite
and taken from a building owned by the British-Manila Estates Company (Limited),
in the town of Imus.
20-4
KEPOKT OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION. 205
It is understood that this contract is based upon a series of surveys made by a sur-
veyor named Juan Villegas during the years nineteen hundred and one and nineteen
hundred and two, at the instance'of the government of the Philippine Islands, in
which he classifies and appraises the lands of the British-Manila Estates Company
(Limited), herein agreed to be conveyed; that on the basis of this survey, classifica-
tion, and appraisement thecivil governor, on behalf of the governmentof the Philippine
Islands, by letter to Monsignor Jean Baptiste Guidi, archbishop of Stauropoli and
apostolic delegate to the Philippine Islands, dated July 5, 1903, made an offer to pur-
chase the lands above described at the price fixed by Villegas, in Mexican currency
reduced to gold at the ratio of two to one, and this letter of the civil governor,
together with the list of the estates of the Kecoletos, so called, which accompanied
the letter, and the surveys of Villegas of said estates, is hereby, for the better under-
standing of this contract, made part hereof as an exhibit by reference.
In consideration of the sale and conveyance of the lands and buildings and of the
assignment of the claims for rent, all as above described, the government of the
Philippine Islands agrees to pay to the British-Manila Estates Company (Limited),
the sum of one million and forty-five thousand dollars ($1,045,000), in mone3r of the
United States, subject to this proviso: That if the Philippine government shall notify
the British-Manila Estates Company (Limited), that the area of either hacienda as
described in the title deed thereof falls short of the superficial area thereof as shown
by Villegas's survey of the same, then the parties hereto shall cause a joint survey
of the same to be made by an agent of each, and if the true survey shall show the
area of either hacienda to be less than as stated by Villegas and in the description
thereof hereinbefore given, then the price herein agreed to be paid shall be abated
by an amount to be ascertained by multiplying the number of hectares short into the
average value of an hectare in the hacienda in question, as shown by dividing Ville-
gas's total valuation of such hacienda by the total number of hectares contained
therein according to his survey, plus twenty-five per cent thereof; and if, on the other
hand, the true survey shall show an excess of hectares over the amount reported by
Villegas, then the price to be paid shall be increased by an amount to be ascertained
in a similar manner.
The government of the Philippine Islands, as a further consideration, hereby
agrees to reimburse the British-Manila Estates Company (Limited), in the sum of six
hundred and forty- three dollars and fifty-eight cents ($643.58), paid by Marcus
McGregor, the agent of the British- Manila Estates Company (Limited), to the
treasurer of the province of Cavite as taxes on the haciendas herein agreed to be
conveyed; and hereby further agrees to hold said British-Manila Estates Company
(Limited) , harmless from liability for the payment of all land taxes uncollected on the
haciendas herein agreed to be conveyed and due to the province of Cavite or the
municipality in which situate.
It is understood that the government of the Philippine Islands, in order to pay
the purchase price hereof, is obliged to sell its bonds under and by virtue of the
authority of section sixty-four of an act of the Congress of the United States approved
July one, nineteen hundred and two, entitled "An act temporarily to provide for
the administration of the affairs of civil government in the Philippine Islands, and
for other purposes." The government of the Philippine Islands agrees to make
every effort to sell the bonds and obtain the proceeds as soon as practicable, and the
time for the consummation of this contract by the conveyance of a good and market-
able title by the British-Manila Estates Company (Limited), and the payment of the
purchase price by the government of the Philippine Islands is fixed as of the end of
a period within which such bonds may be engraved, advertised, sold, and the
proceeds thereof realized, and the necessary surveys and necessary investigation
of the title be made, by prompt action of the Philippine ^government: Provided,
That such period shall not exceed six months from the date of this contract.
In witness whereof the two parties to this agreement hereunto affix their signa-
tures: The British-Manila Estates Company (Limited), acting by Marcus McGregor,
the attorney in fact of said company, as shown by the attached power of attorney;
and the government of the Philippine Islands, by William H. Taft, civil governor,
whose authority is shown by a certified copy of a resolution of the Philippine Com-
mission also hereto attached.
The British-Manila Estates Company (Limited),
By M. McGregor.
The Government of the Philippine Islands,
By Wm. H. Taft, Civil Governor.
In the presence of
Jean Baptiste Guidi,
Archbishop of Stauropoli.
A. W. Fergusson.
206 REPORT OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION.
AGREEMENT OF LA SOCIEDAD AGRLCOLA DE ULTRAMAR TO CONVEY TO THE
GOVERNMENT OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS CERTAIN ESTATES, FORMERLY
THE PROPERTY OF THE AUGUSTINIAN ORDER IN THE PHILIPPINES.
Manila, December 22, 1903.
La Sociedad Agricola de Ultramar, a corporation duly and lawfully organized
under the Spanish sovereignty, hereby agrees to sell and convey to the government
of the Philippine Islands the following haciendas and parcels of land, formerly the
property of the Augustinian order in the Philippines, as follows:
(1) The hacienda of Banildad or Talamban, containing 1,538 hectares and 43 ares,
in the province of Cebu.
(2) The hacienda of Dampol, in the town of Quingua, in the province of Bulacan,
containing 962 hectares, 74 ares, and 46 centares.
(3) The hacienda of Muntinlupa, containing 5,397 hectares and 84 ares, formerly
in the province of Rizal and now in the province of La Laguna.
(4) The hacienda of Malinta, containing 3,432 hectares, in the town of Polo, in the
province of Bulacan.
(5) The hacienda of Tala, containing 5,187 hectares, in the towns of Novaliches
and Caloocan, in the province of Rizal.
(6) The hacienda of Piedad, containing 3,604 hectares, in the towns of Novaliches
and Caloocan, in the province of Rizal.
(7) The hacienda of San Francisco de Malabon, containing 13,000 hectares, in the
province of Cavite.
(8) The hacienda of Binagbag, within the jurisdiction of the pueblo of Angat, in
the province of Bulacan, containing 294 hectares.
(9) The hacienda of Talisay and Minglanilla, containing 7,362 hectares and 90 ares,
in the province of Cebu.
(10) A parcel of land in Matamo, in the pueblo of Quingua, province of Bulacan,
containing 10 hectares, 21 ares, and 33 centares.
(11) A parcel of land in the barrio of San Marcos, town of Calumpit, province of
Bulacan, containing 74 hectares, 82 ares, and 95 centares.
(12) A parcel of land in Barihan, in the town of Barasoain, province of Bulacan,
containing 54 hectares, 29 ares, and 57 centares.
(13) A parcel of land in the barrio of Daquila, in the town of Santa Isabel, in the
province of Bulacan, containing 38 hectares 83 ares and 49 centares.
(14) A parcel of land in the barrios of Calay-Layan or Anibon, of the pueblo of
Santa Isabel, in the province of Bulacan, containing 65 hectares 33 ares and 52
centares.
(15) A parcel of land in Alang-Ilang, in the town of Guiguinto, province of Bula-
can, containing 241 hectares 42 ares and 94 centares.
(16) A parcel of land in the barrio of Malapad, of the town of Guiguinto, province
of Bulacan, containing 7 hectares 20 ares and 8 centares.
(17) A parcel of land in the barrio of New and Old Recoleto, of the town of Gui-
guinto, province of Bulacan, containing 456 hectares 95 ares and 16 centares.
(18) An estate in the province of Isabela, containing 20,419 hectares, patented by
the Spanish Government to the Augustinian Order of the Philippines.
This sale and conveyance shall include all the dwelling houses, farmhouses, ware-
houses, camarines, and other buildings, including sugar and rice mills and machinery,
irrigation work, dams, tunnels, ditches, and all other improvements, together with
all water and other rights, and all hereditaments belonging to La Sociedad Agricola
de Ultramar on the estates and parcels of land hereby agreed to be conveyed; and
La Sociedad Agrfcola de Ultramar agrees that it has a good and merchantable title
to all the lands and buildings hereby conveyed, duly registered according to the laws
of the Philippine Islands; that it will produce its registered title deeds for examina-
tion by the counsel for the Philippine government, and that it will convey such
lands and buildings absolutely and in fee simple in accordance with this contract by
giving a sufficient deed of general warranty of title to the Philippine government.
La Sociedad Agricola de Ultramar further agrees to furnish to the Philippine gov-
ernment all its books, papers, and other documents which it has either in its pos-
session or under its control bearing upon its ownership or the ownership of its pred-
ecessors in title to the lands herein agreed to be conveyed which shall, in the opinion
of the counsel for the Philippine government, be useful to such government in deter-
mining who are the rightful tenants on the property, and in showing, in case of
litigation, the lawful and peaceable possession of La Sociedad Agricola de Ultramar
or its predecessors in title, and especially in showing the lawful and peaceable pos-
session of the Augustinian Order in the Philippines during the sovereignty of Spain.
La Sociedad Agricola de Ultramar further agrees to aid the Philippine government
KEPORT OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION. 207
in every way by procuring oral or documentary evidence needed in confirming the
title hereby conveyed or by showing where such evidence can be procured.
La Sociedad Agricola de Ultramar hereby further agrees that the Philippine gov-
ernment may, at its own expense, make such surveys of any of the haciendas or
parcels herein conveyed as it sees fit in order to determine whether the superficial
area of any estate or parcel according to the description thereof in the title deeds is
the same as that stated in the above-mentioned list of haciendas and parcels.
La Sociedad Agricola de Ultramar also hereby agrees to assign and transfer to the
government of the Philippine Islands all claims for rents for use of land or build-
ings herein agreed to be conveyed due to La Sociedad Agricola de Ultramar from
tenants thereon which are now uncollected, together with claims for rents accruing
between the date hereof and the consummation of the sale herein agreed to be made,
except such rents as may be owing by the United States Government to the said
society for the occupation of its houses by United States troops.
It is understood that this contract is based upon a series of surveys made by a sur-
veyor named Juan Yillegas during the years nineteen hundred and one and nineteen
hundred and two at the instance of the government of the Philippine Islands, in
which he classifies and appraises the lands of La Sociedad Agricola de Ultramar,
except an estate of twenty-three thousand hectares in the province of Isabela, above
mentioned; that on the basis of this survey, classification, and appraisement the civil
governor, on behalf of the government of the Philippine Islands, by letter to
Monsignor Jean Baptiste Guidi, archbishop of Stauropoli and apostolic delegate to
the Philippine Islands, dated July 5, 1903, made an offer to purchase the lands above
described at the price fixed by Villegas in Mexican currency reduced to gold at the
ratio of two to one, and this letter of the civil governor, together with the list of the
estates of the Augustinians, so called, which accompanied the letter, and the surveys
of Yillegas of said estates, is hereby for the better understanding of this contract made
part hereof as an exhibit by reference, it being understood that the estate of Mandaloya,
mentioned in the list as belonging to the Augustinians and now the property of La
Sociedad Agricola de Ultramar, is not intended to be included in this contract and
ageement to sell.
In consideration of the sale and conveyance of the lands and buildings, and of the
assignment of the claims for rent, all as above described, the government of the
Philippine Islands agrees to pay to La Sociedad Agricola de Ultramar the sum of two
million two hundred and thirteen thousand seven hundred and seventy-nine dollars
($2,213,779), in money of the United States, subject to this proviso: That if the Philip-
pine government shall notify La Sociedad Agricola de Ultramar that the area of any
hacienda or parcel as described in the title deed thereof falls short of the superficial
area thereof as shown by Yillegas' survey of the same, then the parties hereto shall
cause a joint survey of the same to be made by an agent of each; and if the true sur-
vey shall show the area of the hacienda or parcel to be less than as stated by Villegas
and in the list as hereinbefore set forth, the price herein to be paid shall be abated
by an amount to be ascertained by multiplying the number of hectares short into the
average value of an hectare in the hacienda or parcel in question as shown by divid-
ing Yillegas' total valuation of such hacienda or parcel by the total number of hec-
tares contained therein according to his survey plus twenty-five per cent thereof; and
if, on the other hand, the true survey shall show an excess of hectares over the amount
reported by Yillegas, then the price to be paid shall be increased by an amount to be
ascertained in a similar manner. If either party desires a survey of the Isabela
estate, which was not surveyed by Yillegas, it shall be made as above provided, and
the price herein agreed to be paid shall be reduced or increased by the number of
hectares found to be short or in excess of twenty thousand four hundred and nineteen
hectares at the rate of nine dollars and eighteen cents ($9.18) gold per hectare. The
survey above mentioned shall be begun as soon after the signing of this contract as
is practicable.
In addition to the other considerations herein stated the government of the Philip-
pine Islands will save harmless La Sociedad Agricola de Ultramar from the payment
of any land taxes due upon the haciendas or parcels herein agreed to be conveyed to
the province or municipality in which such haciendas or parcels are respectively
situate, and will reimburse La Sociedad Agricola de Ultramar in the amount of
dollars ($ ) for taxes already paid by it on such haciendas or parcels of land.
It is understood that the government of the Philippine Islands, in order to pay the
purchase price hereof, is obliged to sell its bonds under and by virtue of the authority
of section sixty-four of an act of the Congress of the United States approved July
one, nineteen hundred and two, entitled "An act temporarily to provide for the
administration of the affairs of civil government in the Philippine Islands, and for
other purposes." The government of the Philippine Islands agrees to make every
208 REPORT OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION.
effort to sell the bonds and obtain the proceeds as soon as practicable, and the time
for the consummation of this contract by the conveyance of a good and marketable
title by La Sociedad Agricola de Ultramar and the payment of the purchase price by
the government of the Philippine Islands is fixed as of the end of a period within
which such bonds may be engraved, advertised, sold^ and the proceeds thereof real-
ized, and the necessary surveys and necessary investigation of the title be made by
prompt action of the Philippine government: Provided, That such period shall not
exceed six months from the date of this contract.
In witness whereof, the two parties to this agreement hereunto affix their signa-
tures: La Sociedad Agricola de Ultramar, acting by Padre Juan Martin, the attorney
in fact of said society, as shown by the attached power of attorney, and the govern-
ment of the Philippine Islands, by William H. Taft, civil governor, whose authority
is shown by a certified copy of a resolution of the Philippine Commission, also hereto
attached.
La Sociedad Agricola de Ultramar,
By W. Juan M. Ybanez.
The Government of the Philippine Islands,
By Wm. H. Taft,
Civil Governor.
In the presence of —
Jean Baptiste Guidi,
Archbishop of Stauropoli, Apostolic Delegate.
A. W. Fergusson.
Addendum.
In now appearing that La Sociedad Agricola de Ultramar has sold about eleven hec-
tares of the hacienda of Banildad or Talamban to the consuls for China and Germany
and to the Spanish Casino, it is hereby further agreed that the same are omitted
from the land hereinabove agreed to be conveyed, and the price shall be abated one
thousand three hundred and seventy-five dollars ($1,375) in money of the United
States.
La Sociedad Agricola de Ultramar,
By W. Juan M. Ybanez,.
The Government of the Philippine Islands,
By Wm. H. Taft,
Civil Governor.
In the presence of —
Jean Baptiste Guidi,
Archbishop of Stauropoli, Apostolic Delegate.
A. W. Fergusson.
AGREEMENT OF THE RECOLETO ORDER OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS TO CON-
VEY TO THE GOVERNMENT OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS THE ESTATE OF
SAN J0SE\ PROVINCE OF MINDORO.
Manila, December 22, 1903.
The Recoleto Order of the Philippine Islands, an ecclesiastical corporation, hereby
agrees to sell and convey to the government of the Philippine Islands the estate of
San Jose in the island and province of Mindoro, containing twenty -three thousand
two hundred and sixty-six (23,266) hectares.
This sale and conveyance shall include all the dwelling houses, farmhouses, ware-
houses, camarines, and other buildings, including sugar and rice mills and machinery,
irrigation work, dams, tunnels, ditches, and all other improvements, together with
all water and other rights and all hereditaments belonging to the Recoleto Order of
the Philippines on the estate hereby agreed to be conveyed; and the Recoleto Order
of the Philippines agrees that it has a good and merchantable title to all the lands
and buildings hereby conveyed, duly registered according to the laws of the Philip-
pinelslands; that it will produce its title deeds for examination by the counsel for the
Philippine government as soon as practicable after the signing of this contract; and
that it will convey such lands and buildings absolutely and in fee simple in accord-
ance with this contract by giving a sufficient deed of general warranty of title to the
Philippine government.
The Recoleto Order of the Philippines hereby further agrees to furnish to the
REPORT OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION". 209
Philippine government all its books, papers, and other documents, which it has in
its possession or under its control, bearing upon its ownership or the ownership of
its predecessors in title to the lands herein agreed to be conveyed, which shall, in the
opinion of the counsel for the Philippine government, be useful to such government
in determining who are the rightful tenants on such property, and in showing, in
case of litigation, the lawful and peaceable possession of the Recoleto Order of the
Philippines or its predecessors in title.
The Recoleto Order of the Philippines further agrees to aid the Philippine govern-
ment in every way by procuring oral or documentary evidence needed in confirming
the title hereby conveyed or by showing where such evidence can be procured.
The Eecoleto Order of the Philippines also hereby agrees to assign and transfer to
the government of the Philippine Islands all claims for rents for use of land or build-
ings herein agreed to be conveyed due to the Recoleto Order of the Philippines or
its predecessors in title from tenants thereon which are now uncollected, together
with claims for rents accruing between the date hereof and the consummation of the
sale herein agreed to be made.
The Recoleto Order of the Philippines hereby further agrees that the Philippine
government may, at its own expense, make such surveys of the hacienda herein con-
veyed as it sees fit, in order to determine whether its superficial area according to the
description thereof in the title deeds contains twenty-three thousand two hundred
and sixty-six (23,266) hectares, as hereinbefore set forth.
In consideration of the conveyance of the lands and buildings and of the assignment
of the claims for rent, all as above described, the government of the Philippine
Islands agrees to pay to the Recoleto Order of the Philippines the sum of three hun-
dred and six thousand seven hundred and fifty-nine dollars ($306,759) in money of
the United States, subject to this proviso: That if the Philippine government shall
notify the Recoleto Order of the Philippines that the area of the hacienda of San
Jose, herein agreed to be conveyed, as described in the title deeds thereof falls short
of the superficial area thereof as hereinbefore set forth, then the parties hereto shall
cause a joint survey of the same to be made by an agent of each, and if the true
survey shows a less area of land in this estate than twenty-three thousand two hun-
dred and sixty-six hectares the price herein agreed to be paid shall be reduced in
the proportion which the shortage bears to twenty-three thousand two hundred and
sixty-six hectares; and if the estate shall be found to exceed the amount above
stated, then the price shall be increased in a similar proportion.
As an additional consideration, the government of the Philippine Islands hereby
agrees to hold the Recoleto Order of the Philippines harmless from liability to pay
land taxes on the hacienda herein agreed to be conveyed, whether such taxes have
already accrued or shall accrue between the date of this contract and the date of the
conveyance herein agreed to be made.
It is understood that upon the hacienda of San Jose, Mindoro, there are about two
thousand head of cattle, the property of the Recoleto Order. It is agreed as part of
the above contract of sale that the Recoleto Order may pasture these cattle on said
estate for one year after the above contract is consummated by the delivery of the
deed of conveyance and the payment of the purchase price without the payment of
rent, subject, however, to the conditions that, should the Philippine government
succeed in selling the San Jose estate hereinabove agreed to be conveyed, or a sub-
stantial part thereof, the said government may require the removal of such cattle on
three months' notice.
It is understood that the government of the Philippine Islands, in order to pay the
purchase price hereof, is obliged to sell its bonds under and by virtue of the authority
of section sixty -four of an act of the Congress of the United States, approved July one,
nineteen hundred and two, entitled "An act temporarily to provide for the adminis-
tration of the affairs of civil government in the Philippine Islands, and for other pur-
poses." The government of the Philippine Islands agrees to make every effort to
sell the bonds and obtain the proceeds as soon as practicable, and time for the con-
summation of this contract by the conveyance of a good and marketable title by the
Recoleto Order of the Philippines and the payment of the purchase price by the gov-
ernment of the Philippine Islands is fixed as of the end of a period within which
such bonds may be engraved, advertised, sold, and the proceeds thereof realized, and
the necessary surveys and necessary investigation of the title be made, by prompt
action of the Philippine government: Provided, That such period shall not exceed six
months from the date of this contract.
In witness wmereof the two parties to this agreement hereunto affix their signa-
tures, the Recoleto Order of the Philippines, acting by Fr. Valentin Utande, pro-
curator of said order, duly authorized thereunto by power of attorney, a copy of
which is hereto attached, and the government of the Philippine Islands by William
war 1903— vol 5 14
210 REPORT OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION.
H. Taft, civil governor, whose authority is shown by a certified copy of a resolution
of the Philippine Commission, also hereto attached.
The Recoleto Order op the Philippines,
By Valentin Utande, F. Procurator.
The Government of the Philippine Islands,
By Wm. H. Tapt, Civil Governor.
In the presence of —
Jean Baptiste Guidi,
Archbishop of Stauropoli, Apostolic Delegate.
Manila, December 22, 1903.
The Philippine Sugar Estates Development Company (Limited), purporting to be a
corporation of the Philippine Islands, duly and lawfully organized, hereby agrees to
sell and convey to the government of the Philippine Islands eight (8) haciendas,
formerly the property of the Dominican Order in the Philippines, as follows:
(1) The hacienda of Bman, in the province of Laguna, said to contain, by the sur-
vey of Villegas, a surveyor, 3,739 hectares 10 ares and 15 centares;
(2) The hacienda of Calamba, in the province of Laguna, said to contain 16,424
hectares and 14 ares;
(3) The hacienda of Lolomboy, in the province of Bulacan, divided into three
parts, the first and second parts at Polo, one containing 106 hectares and 53 ares, and
the other containing 65 hectares 19 ares and 50 centares, and the third part in the
pueblo of Bocaue, containing 4,158 hectares 9 ares and 66 centares;
(4) The hacienda of Naic, in the province of Cavite, said to contain 7,922 hectares
and 29 ares; and 24 centares;
(5) The hacienda of Orion, in the province of Bataan, said to contain 2,109 hect-
ares 57 ares and 24 centares;
(6) The hacienda of Santa Cruz de Malabon, in the province of Cavite, said to con-
tain 8,902 hectares 37 ares and 50 centares;
(7) The hacienda of Santa Maria de Pandi, in the province of Bulacan, said to con-
tain 12,069 hectares 57 ares and 2 centares;
(8) The hacienda of Santa Rosa, in the province of Laguna, said to contain 4,750
hectares 14 ares and 24 centares; and,
In addition, a parcel of land in Toro, in the province of Bulacan, said to contain 58
hectares 23 ares and 30 centares, which is really part of either the hacienda of
Lolomboy or that of Santa Maria de Pandi;
Reserving therefrom the casa hacienda and camarine in the hacienda and pueblo of
Santa Rosa in the province of Laguna, including the land enclosed within the walls
surrounding said casa and camarine and two hundred hectares of first-class agricul-
tural land therein to be selected by the agent of the Philippine Sugar Estates Devel-
opment Company (Limited), in reasonably compact form near the casa hacienda, and
selected so as to interfere with the use of the rest of the estate by the Philippine
Government as little as possible and so as not to include any part of the poblacion
but only agricultural land; reserving also the casa Majala on the mountain side of
the Calamba estate, together with eight hundred hectares of cultivated sugar lands
extending from the casa Majala toward the town of Calamba, to be selected, by the
company's agent in as near a compact tract as practicable and so as not to inter-
fere with the use of the remainder of the estate by the Philippine Government. The
reservation of neither of these tracts is to include the source of water supply for the
estate from which reserved, and is not to be used by the Philippine Sugar Estates
Development Company (Limited), or any successor in title, to the prejudice of the
government of the Philippine Islands or any successor in title to the lands hereby
conveyed so far as the use of water thereon and the present system of irrigation is
concerned, which shall be continued for the benefit of both parties herein in accord-
ance with the law and customs of the Philippines in the year 1898.
This sale and conveyance shall include all the dwelling houses, farmhouses, ware-
houses, camarines and other buildings, irrigation work, dams, tunnels, ditches and
all other improvements, together with all water and other rights and all heredita-
ments belonging to the company on every part of the estates hereby agreed to be con-
veyed, except the two houses expressly reserved above, and also excepting a camarine
in the poblacion of Orion in the province of Bataan, and a camarine in the poblacion
of Calamba, which belonged to the Philippine Sugar Estates Development Company,
Limited, but were not valued by Villegas, the surveyor, in the survey hereinafter
referred to, from ignorance that they belonged to the company. The land upon
which the camarines of Orion and Calamba stand is not included in this conveyance.
REPORT OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION. 211
It is understood that the Philippine Sugar Estates Development Company, Limited,
has sold upward of four hundred hectares of sugar land in the Calamba estate, which
is to be included in the eight hundred hectares herein reserved to the company and
to be satisfied out of the same. It is also understood that the company has sold ten
hectares, more or less, with a rice mill thereon, in Binan, and town lots in Binan,
Calamba, and Santa Cruz. To make up for this amount and for -the two lots in
Orion and Calamba, upon which stand the camarines mentioned above, the said com-
pany agrees to reduce the reservation of two hundred hectares in Santa Rosa by the
amount thus sold in Binan, Calamba, and Santa Cruz, and by the amount retained
in Orion and Calamba.
The Philippine Sugar Estates Development Company, Limited, agrees that it has
good and merchantable titles to all the lands and buildings hereby conveyed, duly
registered according to the laws of the Philippine Islands; that it will produce evi-
dence of the same for examination by counsel for the Philippine government as soon
as practicable after the signing of this contract, and that it will convey such lands
and buildings absolutely and in fee simple in accordance with this contract by a
good and sufficient deed of general warranty of title to the Philippine government.
The Philippine Sugar Estates Development Company, Limited, further agrees to
furnish to the Philippine government all its books, papers, and other documents
which it has, either in possession or under its control, bearing upon its ownership, or
the ownership of its predecessors in title, of the lands herein agreed to be conveyed,
which shall, in the opinion of the counsel for the Philippine government, be useful
to such government in determining who are the rightful tenants on the property, and
in showing, in cases of litigation, the lawful and peaceable possession of the Philip-
pine Sugar Estates Development Company, Limited, or its predecessors in title, and
especially in showing the lawful and peaceable possession of the Dominican Order of
the Philippines during the sovereignty of Spain. The Philippine Sugar Estates
Development Company, -Limited, further agrees to aid the Philippine government in
every way by procuring oral or documentary evidence needed in confirming the title
hereby conveyed, or by showing where such evidence can be procured. The Philip-
pine Sugar Estates Development Company, Limited, further agrees that the Philippine
government may, at its own expense, make such surveys of any of the haciendas as
it sees fit in order to determine whether the superficial area of any hacienda accord-
ing to the description thereof in the title deeds is the same as that stated in the above-
mentioned list of haciendas and parcels.
The Philippine Sugar Estates Development Company, Limited, also hereby agrees
to assign and transfer to the government of the Philippine Islands all claims for rents
for use of land or buildings herein agreed to be conveyed due to the Philippine Sugar
Estates Development Company, Limited, or its predecessors in title, from tenants
thereof which are now uncollected, together with all claims for rents accruing between
the date hereof and the consummation of the sale herein agreed to be made, except
such rents as may be owing by the United States Government to the said company
for occupation of its houses by United States troops.
It is understood that this contract is based upon a series of surveys made by a
surveyor named Juan Villegas during the years 1901 and 1902 at the instance of the
government of the Philippine Islands, in which he classified and appraised the lands
of the Philippine Sugar Estates Development Company, Limited, herein agreed to
be conveyed; that on the basis of this survey, classification, and appraisement, the
civil governor, on behalf of the government of the Philippine Islands, by letter to
Monsignor Jean Baptiste Guidi, Archbishop of Stauropoli and apostolic delegate to
the Philippine Islands, dated July 5, 1903, made an offer to purchase the lands
above described at the prices fixed by Villegas in Mexican currency reduced to gold
at the ratio of two to one, and this letter of the civil governor, together with the
list of estates of the Dominicans so called, which accompanied the letter and the
surveys of Villegas of said estates, is hereby, for the better understanding of this
contract, made part hereof as an exhibit by reference, it being understood that the
estate of San Juan del Monte mentioned in the list as belonging to the Dominicans
was never conveyed to the Philippine Sugar Estates Development Company, Lim-
ited, and is not owned by the said company and is not included in this agreement
to sell.
In consideration of the sale and conveyance of the lands and buildings and the
assignment of the claims for rent, all as above described, the government of the
Philippine Islands agrees to pay to the Philippines Sugar Estates Development
Company, Limited, the sum of three million six hundred seventy-one thousand six
hundred* and fifty-seven dollars ($3,671,657), in money of the United States, subject
to this proviso: That if the government of the Philippine Islands shall notify the
Philippine Sugar Estates Development Company, Limited, that the area of any
hacienda that is described in the title deed thereof falls short of the superficial area
212 REPORT OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION.
thereof, as shown by Villegas's survey of the same, then the parties hereto shall cause
a joint survey of the same to be made by an agent of each; and if the true survey
shall show the area of the hacienda to be less than that as stated by Villegas in the
list hereinbefore set forth, then the price herein agreed to be paid shall be abated
by an amount to be ascertained by multiplying the number of hectares short into
the average value of a hectare in the hacienda in question as shown by dividing
Villegas's total valuation of such hacienda by the total number of hectares contained
therein according to his survey, plus twenty-five per cent thereof; and if, on the
other hand, the true survey shall show an access of hectares over the amount
reported by Villegas, then the price to be paid shall be increased by an amount
ascertained in a similar manner.
In addition to the foregoing considerations the Philippine government also stipu-
lates that the Philippine Sugar Estates Development Company, Limited, shall be
acquitted of the obligation to pay all the uncollected land taxes on the lands, build-
ings, and other improvements herein agreed to be conveyed to the Philippine govern-
ment which are due to the provinces or the municipalities in which the same are
respectively situate.
It is understood that the government of the Philippine Islands, in order to pay the
purchase price hereof, is obliged to sell its bonds under and by virtue of the
authority of section 64 of the act of Congress of the United States, approved July 1,
1902, entitled "An act temporarily to provide for the administration of the affairs of
civil government in the Philippine Islands, and for other purposes."
The government of the Philippine Islands agrees to make every effort to sell the
bonds and obtain the proceeds as soon as is practicable, and the time for the con-
summation of this contract by the conveyance of a good and marketable title by the
Philippine Sugar Estates Development Company, Limited, and the payment of the
purchase price by the government of the Philippine Islands is fixed as of the end of
the period within which such bonds may be engraved, advertised, sold, and the pro-
ceeds thereof realized, and the necessary surveys and necessary investigation of the
title be made by prompt action of the Philippine government, not exceeding six
months from the date of this contract.
In witness whereof, the two parties to this agreement hereunto affix their signa-
tures, the Philippine Sugar Estates Development Company, Limited, acting by
Francisco Gutierrez, the attorney in fact of said company, as shown by the attached
powrer of attorney, and the government of the Philippine Islands by Win. H. Taft,
civil governor, whose authority is shown by a certified copy of a resolution of the
Philippine Commission, also hereto attached.
(Sgd.) The Philippine Sugar Estates
Development Company, Limited,
By Franco. Gutierrez, Attorney in Fact.
The Government of the Philippine Islands,
By Wm. H. Taft, Civil Governor.
In presence of —
Jean Baptist Guidi,
Archbishop of Stauropoli, Apostolic Delegate.
A. W. Fergusson.
EXHIBIT I.
REPORT ON RELIGIOUS CONTROVERSIES.
[Cases numbered from 1 to 108, inclusive. Exhibits numbered from 1 to 48, inclusive. ]
A SYNOPSIS OF THE CASES OF RELIGIOUS CONTROVERSY AND QUESTIONS IN
WHICH THE MATTER OF RELIGION IS INVOLVED, ARISING IN THE PHILIP-
PINE ISLANDS, CALLING FOR ACTION BY THE EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT OF
THE CIVIL GOVERNMENT OF THE ISLANDS, AND STATEMENT OF THE ACTION
TAKEN THEREON.
1. Iloilo, Iliolo. — No date. — Bishop of Jaro presents in person to the civil gov-
ernor a petition to the Commission asking that the seminary of Jaro be vacated by
the American troops and returned to him as the representative of the Catholic Church.
May 25, 1901. — Referred to the military governor of the islands, with request that
investigation be made by the military authorities as to the title to the said seminary.
August 30, 1901. — Returned to the civil governor, with reports of various military
officers.
September 4, 1901. — Referred to the attorney-general for opinion as to whether the
facts shown do not seem to entitle the Catholic Church to possession of the property.
September 7, 1901. — Solicitor-general renders opinion that the claim of the Catholic
Church to title is not clearly shown. The record in this case is copied in full and
attached hereto and marked "''Exhibit No. 1." (No. 936.)
2. Iloilo, Iloilo. — January 24, 1902. — The presbyter of the congregation of San
Vicente de Paul reports that seditious cries and jeers were uttered against himself
and fellow priests in Iloilo and Jaro. States that he was refused protection by the
military.
January 29, 1902. — Acting civil governor, in a letter to the provincial governor,
urges the use of all possible means for the keeping of the peace, and outlines the princi-
ples underlying the American policy of separation of church and state. This letter
is copied in full and attached hereto and marked "Exhibit No. 2."
February 10, 1902. — A copy of this letter was furnished to the chief of the Philip-
pines constabulary, with the request that all constabulary officers be advised of the
status of affairs between the church and the state, in order that there might be no con-
fusion in that regard. Copy also furnished to the presbyter of the congregation of
San Vicente de Paul for his information.
March 7, 1902. — Provincial governor transmits testimony and report of investiga-
tion, and states that the complaint put the matter in a light , which did injustice to
the accused persons, as the assembly was an entirely peaceable one and offered no
violence. Cites other instances to show that the municipal authorities are using
every effort to prevent such lawlessness as that complained of. (No. 6598-A1 to A3,
inclusive.)
3. Sax Pedro, Axtique. — February IS, 1903. — Municipal president forwards for
the information of the civil governor a report of the conditions existing in his
municipality with reference to the question of religion, his letter leaving the infer-
ence that he is having or expects to have trouble along that line.
Ajrrtt IS, 1903. — Civil governor in reply states briefly the duties of the municipal
president, and refers him to former instructions. This letter is copied in full and
attached hereto and marked "Exhibit No. 3." (No. 22107).
4. Lambunao, Iloilo.— July 17, 1902.— Parish priest complains of persecution by
three councilors of his town, stating that they have prevented children from attend-
ing the parish school, fined him twice wrongfully, and prohibited the admitting of
corpses into the church.
213
214 EEPOET OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION.
August 18, 1902. — Referred to the provincial governor for investigation and report,
and for proper action to prevent a recurrence of such wrongs if it should be found
that the same had been committed.
September 9, 1902. — Municipal president reports that no abuses against the person
of the priest or any other Catholic have been noted; that, when the public school
was opened the muncipal police were instructed to see that all children attended
same; and that the priest was fined for an infraction of the law.
January 16, 1903. — Referred by the executive secretary to the provincial board of
Iloilo, with statement that the action of the municipal council compelling children
to attend the public school, and thus indirectly preventing their attendance at the
parochial school, was contrary to law; that the ordinance prohibiting the introduc-
tion of corpses into the church, etc., was legal only if drafted and recommended by
the municipal board of health; and that the municipal council was not empowered
to collect fees or taxes on religious ceremonies, and that such ordinance was illegal.
The provincial board was instructed to make necessary representations to the muni-
cipal council. This letter is copied in full and attached hereto and marked ' ' Exhibit
No. 4."
July 2, 1903. — Provincial secretary forwards copy of the withdrawal of the charges
by A. P. Cotton, attorney for the parish priest, and favors the dismissal of the case.
Accordingly dismissed. (No. 12544 to Al.)
5. Janiuay, Iloilo. — April 6,1903. — The apostolic delegate forwards to the civil
governor a letter from the parish priest of Valladolid, Iloilo, stating that Aglipay
has used threats and other undue and unlawful influence to get the parish priest of
Janiuay to join his movement.
April 9, 1903. — Civil governor replies that, while the conduct of Senor Aglipay
may be subject to severe criticism on the ground of taste and morality, the facts as
set forth in the statement of the priest do not warrant executive action. The letter
of the parish priest and the civil governor's reply to the letter of the apostolic dele-
gate are written in full and attached hereto and marked "Exhibit No. 5." (No.
24132. )
6. -San Jose de Buenavista, Antique. — January 17, 1902. — Provincial governor for-
wards petition, signed by numerous residents of San Jose, asking for the expulsion of
Friar Josac Giraldez, also his reply to the petitioners. The reply was in substance
the same as the instructions sent out by the civil governor.
January 30, 1902. — Executive secretary, by direction of the civil governor, com-
mends provincial governor's reply.
January 24, 1902. — Provincial governor transmits petitions from citizens of San
Josac counter to the former petition.
February 6, 1902. — Acting civil governor, in a letter to the provincial governor,
commends the latter' s clear and forcible expression of the attitude of the government
toward the religious question. The letter of the provincial governor and the com-
mendatory letter of the acting civil governor are copied in full and attached hereto
and marked "Exhibit No. 6." (No. 6764- Al to A3, inclusive.)
7. Bugason, Antique. — June 18, 1902. — Provincial supervisor forwards to the act-
ing civil governor copy of a letter from the municipal president of Bugason to the
parish priest, dated June 11, ordering the latter to leave the town, and stating that
if he did not he would be removed by force. The records show nothing further with
regard to this case, but it is evident that the threat of the municipal president was
not carried into effect. This and similar cases are treated of in the civil governor' s
public letter to the provincial governor of Tarlac, dated July 31, 1901, and in circular
letters to provincial governors. (No. 10909.)
8. Province op Capiz. — January 29, 1903. — Eight petitions from residents of various
municipalities in the province, containing in all 496 signatures and requesting the
expulsion of the friars from the Philippines, were received.
March 7, 1903. — Petition received, dated Ibajay, Capiz, January 1, 1903, protesting
against the return of the friars to the pueblo and requesting that all religious cor-
porations be expelled from the islands. These papers were referred to the apostolic
delegate for his information. (No. 20520-A1 and A2. )
9. Romblon, Romblon. — August 16, 1901. — Provincial governor states that the
bishop of Jaro is using his position in the Catholic Church to influence the action of
the municipal authorities of Romblon, who are Catholics, by threats of severe eccle-
siastical penalties in case of failure to comply with his wishes. Incloses letter from
the bishop to the municipal authorities; also their reply. The letter of the bishop
of Jaro is copied in full and attached hereto and marked "Exhibit No. 7." (No. 1968. )
10. Romblon, Romblon. — February 16, 1903. — Provincial governor states conditions
in his province between municipalities and church, and asks for advice in case of
future disagreement.
March 7, 1903. — Informed that the policy of the executive branch of the govern-
REPORT OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION. 215
ment is to recognize the right of the last peaceable possessor and to protect him in
his possession. The letter of instruction herein referred to is copied in full and
attached hereto and marked " Exhibit No. 8." (No. 22204. )
11. Ilagan, Isabela. — December 30, 1901. — Provincial governor, in a circular to
all municipal presidents, requests them to pass ordinances with a view to keeping
cemeteries in an improved and sanitary condition.
February 15, 1902. — Provincial governor calls the attention of the municipal presi-
dent of Ilagan to former circular, and instructs him to have the cemetery in his town
cleaned, and to present the bill therefor to the parish priest.
February 17, 1902. — Provincial governor writes to the archbishop of the Philippine
Islands, not, however, as governor, but as a private citizen, relative to abuses by
parish priests in the way of excessive charges, etc., and suggests a remedy. The let-
ters in this case are copied in full and attached hereto, and marked ''Exhibit No. 9."
(No. 6287 to Al, and 7747. )
12. Cebu, Cebu. — September 13, 1901. — Provincial governor forwards copy of reso-
lutions of the provincial board, which request, among other things, the expulsion of
the friars from the islands. (No. 2964-A1 to A3, inclusive.)
13. Cebu, Cebu. — July 2, 1902. — L. J. Carlock, judge of the court of first instance,
orders that the bells of the Catholic church adjoining the court room be not tolled
during office hours of the court, and threatens to proceed against the director for
contempt if order is not obeyed.
July 9, 1902.— Rev. W. D. McKinnon forwards to the civil governor a copy of the
order, stating that he believes it to be an unwarrantable interference on the part of
the court, as the bells are not large, and therefore can hardly be a nuisance.
August 12, 1902. — The secretary of finance and justice, in a letter to the judge of the
court, states that the facts as set forth by Father McKinnon seem to justify the com-
plaint, and asks that more conciliatory measures be used in the future in dealing
with such matters. (No. 12342 to Al.)
14. Cebu, Talamban, Talisay, and Minglanilla, in the Province op Cebu. —
November 17, 1902. — Eighty-two residents of the four towns petition that, in case of
accession by the government of friar properties in Cebu, they be given an opportu-
nity to present their claim for adjudication in the courts. Also present protest
formerly prepared against the alleged title of the friars to said lands.
February 20, 1903. — Eighteen residents of the same towns refer to former petition,
and present a new one covering practically the same ground. (No. 18903 to Al.)
15. Cebu, Cebu. — July 18, 1903. — Procurator of the Recoletos in Manila requests the
return of $908.25 gold, which was imposed for municipal taxes on the convent in
Cebu while same was occupied by the military. The civil governor recommended to
to the provincial treasurer of Cebu that the collection of the taxes in question be
deferred until after the payment of rent by the military for the use of the convent.
(No. 28034.)
16. San Nicolas, Cebu. — March 18, 1903. — Acting provincial governor forwards
copy of protest against the action of the municipality of San Nicolas in imposing an
exorbitant and illegal tax upon the cemetery of the town belonging to the church.
March 26, 1903. — Referred to the attorney-general for opinion.
April 3, 1903. — Opinion rendered that the municipality has the right to impose
such tax. On June 1, 1903, however, in the case of the Catholic cemetery at Vigan,
Ilocos Sur, which is similar to the above, an opinion was rendered by the acting
secretary of finance and justice, and concurred in by the secretary of the interior and
the civil governor, declaring such privilege rental or tax illegal. (See Case No. 48;
Exhibit No. 28.)
17. Zamboanga, Mindanao. — September 2, 1902. — Division superintendent of
schools, in a letter to the secretary of public instruction, My. Bernard Moses, states
that the Jesuit priests are engaged in seditious practices and machinations against the
plans of the government and seriously interfering with the progress of school work
in his district.
September 17, 1902. — Referred to the civil governor, who in an indorsement stated
that he believed there was no ground for the fears of a conspiracy entertained by
the district superintendent. Letter of the secretary of public instruction, quoting
this indorsement, is copied in full and attached hereto and marked " Exhibit No. 10."
September 24, 1902. — District superintendent notified of the civil governor's indorse-
ment and instructed to comport himself accordingly. (No. 147187)
18. Boac, Marinduque. — June 25, 1902. — Provincial board wires that provincial
government is occupying convent, which action is opposed by Bishop Martin; asks
if same should be given up without investigation of title.
June 26, 1902. — Executive secretary by telegram directs that the convent be
returned to the church authorities, and that if the province claims title it should
present its claim in court.
216 REPORT OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION.
June 27, 1902. — Hartigan, Marple & Solignac state that order to provincial authori-
ties seems not to have been carried out.
June 28, 1903. — Executive secretary wires provincial board asking if property has
been turned over as previously directed.
June 28, 1903. — Provincial board wires that convent was delivered over immediately
upon receipt of former order. (No. 10781.)
19. Nueva Caceres, Ambos Camarines. — January 18, 1902. — Provincial governor
telegraphs executive secretary, for his information, a true account of the trial and
sentence of Praxido Penosa, a native priest, to imprisonment for three months and a
fine of $500 under the sedition law, stating that the local papers have the account
badly mixed. The text of the telegram is as follows:
"Nueva Caceres, Camarines Sur, January, 18, 1902.
1 ' Fergusson, Executive Secretary, Manila.
" In court of first instance yesterday, Judge Carson sentenced Praxido Penosa, a
native priest, to three months imprisonment and fine of $500 under sedition law.
Sentence was based on finding by the court that accused, in a sermon delivered
from his pulpit at Libmanan, Sunday, December 1, 1901, advised his hearers, among
other things, not to obey the constituted authorities, as they only desired to exploit
them and to destroy their morals, and because they only wanted to be little kings and
to call themselves 'ilustrados' and wise. A large number of witnesses were called
and a strong and able defense made by Mr. Robert Manly, American attorney from
Manila, who has entered appeal. This for your information and publication, if you
deem proper, as local newspapers have gotten things mixed up.
"Ross, Governor."
(No. 6543 to Al.)
20. Nueva Caceres, Ambos Camarines. — December 1, 1902. — Parish priest com-
plains of refusal of military authorities to vacate the "Episcopal palace" at that
place. Upon suggestion by the civil governor, General Davis ordered the building
vacated, which was done on February 11, 1903. (No. 18628.)
21. Nueva Caceres, Ambos Camarines. — March 3, 1903. — Provincial governor
informs executive secretary that military are intending to vacate the so-called " Bish-
op's palace " at that place upon request of the apostolic delegate, but that the prop-
erty is claimed by the province, and suggests that it be not turned over to the church
authorities.
March 10, 1903. —Referred to the chief of the bureau of archives, who, on March
14, 1903, reported that the archives showed that the property belonged to the Span-
ish Government and not to the Church.
March 14, 1903. — Referred to the military authorities.
May 22, 1903. — The commanding general of the division of the Philippines ordered
the property turned over to the representative of the Catholic Church in accordance
with the statement of the civil governor that it was to be delivered to the last peace-
able possessor.
June 20, 1903. — Building was vacated by the military and turned over to the Cath-
olic priest. The letter of the civil governor to the commanding general of the division
of the Philippines is copied in full and attached hereto and marked "Exhibit No.
11." (No. 22370.)
22. Nabua, Ambos Camarines. — April 7, 1903. — The apostolic delegate filed a com-
plaint charging the municipal president with "adopting low means to combat the
Church and with violating the free exercise of the Catholic cult."
April 11, 1903.— Thecase was referred to the provincial governor for investigation.
A full investigation disclosed the fact that the charges were without foundation,
and on
June 1, 1903. — The complainant was so informed. The record of this case is copied
in full and attached hereto and marked " Exhibit No. 12." (No. 24156.)
23. Palanog, Masbate. — July 2, 1902. — Municipal president forwards copy of
petition of parish priest, favorably recommended by the municipal council, request-
ing the return to the priest of the parish house now occupied by the United States
troops.
July 10, 1902. — Referred to the major-general commanding division of the Philip-
pines for proper action. (No. 11197. )
July 14, 1902.— The commanding general of the Department of North Philippines
was directed to vacate the convent at once, and on July 15, 1902, he reported that
the necessary orders had been issued to have the building vacated immediately.
(No. 11197.)
24. Rosario, Batangas. — July 8, 1903. — Parish priest complains that municipality
has taken possession of real estate belonging to the Church.
REPORT OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION". 217
July 10, 1903. — Referred to the provincial governor ''for prompt investigation and
report."
August 5, 1903. — Provincial governor reports that the property in question does not
belong to the Church, and that it is and always has been in the peaceful possession
of the village of Rosario.
August 15, 1903. — Hartigan, Marple, Solignac, McCabe, and Gutierrez were notified
of the provincial governor's report, and told that the Church might resort to the
courts to show its right to the property. (No. 28778.)
25. Tablac, Taelac. — July 31, 1901. — The parish priest of Tarlac complains ver-
bally to the civil governor that the municipal council of his town has attempted to
regulate by ordinance the fees which he should charge for the performance of religious
functions. The civil governor takes this occasion to point out, in a public letter to
the provincial governor of Tarlac, the fundamental error of the municipal council
in the matter above referred to, and to give such general information on the matter
of the attitude of the government in religious controversies as will guide provincial
and municipal officers in the future conduct of such matters. This letter is copied
in full and attached hereto and marked " Exhibit No. 13."
August 8, 1901. — The municipal council protests against the placing of the matter
in the light in which it was placed by the parish priest, stating that it had simply
called the attention of the priest to the advisability of charging a smaller fee. The
record also shows a letter of the parish priest justifying his complaint. (No. 1103-A1
to A9, inclusive. )
26. Taelac, Tarlac. — April 24, 1902. — The municipal council of Victoria, Tarlac,
passed a resolution ordering the closing of the Catholic cemetery and forbidding
interments therein. Parish priest protests against enforcement of this order.
April 28, 1902. — Provincial fiscal renders an opinion that the municipal council is
empowered to establish a municipal cemetery, but not to override the rights of the
Catholic church by such unjust legislation.
July 7, 1902. — Thomas L. Hartigan, attorney, submits to the civil governor copies
of the papers in the above matter and asks that the action of the municipal council
be disapproved.
July 8, 1902. — Acting civil governor confirms opinion of the provincial fiscal, and
requests the provincial governor to notify the municipal council that its action was
evidently unjust and in excess of its authority. Refers to letter of civil governor to
Capt. Wallis O. Clark, former governor of Tarlac, which is mentioned in the preced-
ing case as "Exhibit No. 13," and states that a repetition by the municipal council
of such action as that complained of will furnish proper grounds for suspending them
from office. (No. 11013-A1 to A3, inclusive.)
27. Victoria, Tarlac — August 27, 1902. — The president, vice-president, one coun-
cilor, the justice of the peace, and the auxiliary justice of the peace were charged
with taking advantage of their respective official positions to insult a minister of the
Roman Catholic Church.
September 22, 1902. — The accused officers were dismissed from office. The record
of this case is copied in full and attached hereto and marked "Exhibit No. 14." (No.
14578. )
28. Victoria, Tarlac. — November 7, 1902. — Civil governor telegraphs to provincial
governor that he has been advised that an attempt will be made to dispossess the
parish priest of Victoria of the church and convento by force and put into possession
a representative of the National Filipino Church, and requests his cooperation in
order to prevent any such unlawful proceeding. States that the representatives of
the civil government are not to interfere unless one or other of the parties violates
the law or disturbs the peace; and that, if the parish priest in the town is in peaceful
possession representing the Roman Catholic Church, the claim of the Filipino Church
or its representatives may be presented in court.
November 10, 1902. — Provincial governor states everything quiet; that people being
Ilocanos, prefer an Ilocano priest, but that there seems to be no likelihood that they
will attempt to oust the Roman Catholic priest. (No. 17095 to Al. )
29. Baguio, Benguet. — June 5, 1903. — Rev. Josae Algue, by direction of the superior
of the Jesuit mission, applies for concession of a tract of land in and around Baguio,
known as "El Mirador," to be used as a site for a sanitarium for the order.
June 10, 1903. — Referred to the Commission and Father Algue notified thereof by
the civil governor. Latter also states that he believes the Commission would grant
the concession if it had the power. (No. 27397. )
30. Daraga, Albay. — June 29, 1902. — Municipal vice-president, treasurer, secre-
tary, and councilors of Daraga, and others, protest against the designation of a friar
as parish priest and request intervention by the civil authorities.
August 29, 1902.— Referred to Thomas L. Hartigan, counsel for the bishop-admin-
istrator of the archdiocese of Manila.
218 REPORT OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION.
September 26, 1902. — The same officials and other persons request governmental
action against the retention of the friars in the pueblo.
September 30, 1902.— Referred to T. L. Hartigan. (No. 11663-A1 to A3, inclusive.)
31. Lucena, Tayabas. — June 26, 1903. — Provincial governor states that a priest in
the province refuses to give to the municipal secretary a list of marriages, births, and
deaths, and asks what course is to be pursued to secure same.
June 27, 1903. — Informed that it is the duty of the municipal secretary to keep a
record, which if properly kept would furnish him the material for such a list without
reference to the parish priest. Copy of this letter is attached hereto and marked
"Exhibit No. 15." (No. 28177.)
32. Bocaue, Bulacan. — November 8, 1902. — Catholic Truth Society, of San Fran-
cisco, Cal., calls attention of the civil governor to a letter published in the Gazette,
of Galena, 111., under date of October 23, 1902, and signed by G. M. Palmer, a teacher
in the public school department of the Philippines, and protests against his using his
official position to engage in the proselytizing business.
December 24, 1902. — Referred to the general superintendent of education for action.
January 13, 1903. — Returned to the secretary of public instruction, with statement
of action taken, and the further statement that Mr. Palmer seems to think his con-
duct justifiable.
January 19, 1903. — Returned to the civil governor, with indorsement by the sec-
retary of public instruction.
February 13, 1903. — Returned to the secretary of public instruction, with indorse-
ment by the civil governor. The record of this case is copied in full and attached
hereto and marked " Exhibit No. 16." (No. 18782. )
February 17, 1903. — Referred to the general superintendent of education, inviting
attention to the two preceding indorsements.
February 20, 1903. — Papers returned with the report that Mr. Palmer has been
reprimanded and transferred to another post, and that a circular on the subject has
been sent to all the teachers in the islands. (No. 18782. )
33. Pitpitan, Bulacan. — February 11, 1903. — Parish priest states that it is persist-
ently rumored that the priest of the Independent Filipino Church proposes to con-
duct services in the chapel at Pitpitan.
February 17, 1903. — Advised by acting executive secretary that if he wishes to
retain the chapel he should put some person in possession of it. (No. 21511. )
34. Polo, Bulacan. — March 16, 1903. — Complaint submitted to the civil governor
against certain municipal officials of Polo for violation of the Catholic cemetery of
the town.
March 20, 1903. — Civil governor transmits complaint to the provincial governor for
investigation and report, and recommends that, if the facts are found to be as stated
in the complaint, the officials involved be removed from office and the provincial
fiscal directed to prosecute them.
March 30, 1903. — Executive secretary telegraphs provincial governor that no report
has been received and urges that action be expedited. Provincial governor in reply
states absolutely impossible to hurry more than he is doing.
May 1, 1903. — Provincial governor states that results of investigation will be sub-
mitted to the provincial board for judgment at its meeting of the 11th instant.
May 11, 1903. — Provincial board recommends the removal from office of the vice-
president, who was acting president at the time of the violation complained of.
May 14, 1903. — Provincial governor formally removes the vice-president from office,
and this action was concurred in by the civil governor. Part of the record in this
case is copied and attached hereto and marked "Exhibit No. 17," (No. 23279-A1
to A8, inclusive. )
35. San Rafael, Bulacan. — March 8, 1903. — Parish priest complains that the
municipal president has caused to be buried in the Catholic cemetery the body of a
Protestant, and that he made an undue show of force in doing so. Requests that the
body be taken out at the president's expense and that the latter give public satis-
faction. The above complaint was presented to the justice of the peace.
March 8, 1903. — Justice of the peace states that, on account of the gravity of the
case, he refuses to take action thereon, thereby furnishing means for speedy appeal
to higher authority.
March 11, 1903. — Submitted to the civil governor.
March 14, 1903. — Referred to the provincial governor, with the statement that, if
the facts are as set forth in the complaint, the municipal president should be removed,
and with request for investigation and report.
April 11, 1903. — Provincial governor reports that investigation shows that the
ground in which the corpse of the Protestant was buried is not a part of the Catholic
cemetery. Further statements were put forth by the complainant, and the papers
REPOET OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION. 219
were again referred to the provincial governor for investigation and report. Eeport
was made substantiating the former one, and the papers were, on
June 13, 1903, referred to Hartigan, Marple, Solignac, McCabe, and Gutierrez,
with the statement that the cemetery in which the corpse was buried seems to have
been in the possession of the municipality, and that the Eoman Catholic Church,
therefore, if it claims title, may present such claim in the courts. The record of this
case is copied and attached hereto and marked "Exhibit No. 18." (No. 22926.)
36. Lilio, La Laguxa. — July 9, 1902. — T. L. Hartigan transmits copy of a resolu-
tion of the municipal council imposing a tax on the ringing of church bells for private
parties.
July 14, 1902. — Acting civil governor refers papers to provincial governor, saying
that if the facts are as stated the municipal council has exceeded its authority, and
requesting him to see that the ordinance is repealed. Copy of this letter is attached
hereto and marked "Exhibit No. 19." (No. 11259.)
37. Cavite, Cavite. — October 24, 1901. — Provincial secretary transmits, for the
information of the Commission, a resolution adopted by the municipal presidentes of
the province at their quarterly meeting in Cavite, expressing their opinion that the
question of the friars should be promptly and effectively settled. Copy of this reso-
lution is attached hereto and marked "Exhibit No. 20."
May 3, 1901. — Florentin Eallosand 17 others of Cavite province petitioned the civil
governor for the expulsion of 6 Augustinian and 2 Eecoleto friars recently arrived
there. State that they have received civil governor's information that he can not
expel the friars, and set forth what seem to them urgent reasons why the friars
should not be allowed to remain. (No. 2y64-Al to A3, inclusive.)
38. Imus, Cavite. — October 11, 1901. — Municipal president forwards a communi-
cation from the committee having in charge the conduct of a lawsuit against the
Eecoleto friars, stating that an American surveyor has been going over the ground
with two soldiers, and that his action affects the outcome of the suit. Protest against
militarv escort being allowed. Copy of the record of this case is attached hereto and
marked "Exhibit No. 21."
October 15, 1901:— Rei erred to the military governor.
Xovember 14, 1901. — Eeturned with the statement that there seems to be no ground
for the complaint. (No. 3751.)
39. La Caeidad, Cavite. — February 9, 1902. — Civil governor wires provincial gov-
ernor that he has been informed forcible possession has been taken of a church in
La Caridad which was formerly in possession of a priest of the Eoman Catholic
Church. States that such dispossession is unlawful and that municipality should
present its claim to title in court, and that the provincial governor must see that law
and order is preserved.
Xovember 10, 1902. — Provincial governor states church is uncompleted and has
never been used for any religious purpose. Copy of the record in this case is attached
hereto and marked "Exhibit No. 22." (No. 17083 to Al.)
40. Cavite, Sax Eoque, and La Caeidad, Peovince of Cavite. — June 10, 1902. —
Eesidents of the three towns petition for the reopening of the Catholic cemetery,
which was closed by order of the municipality of La Caridad.
June 3, 1902. — Hartigan, Marple, Solignac, McCabe, and Gutierrez complain of the
action of the municipal board of La Caridad in the matter above referred to.
June 28, 1902. — Civil governor, in a letter to the provincial governor, states that if
the facts are as set out in the complaints, the municipal board has usurped rights not
properly belonging to it, and directs investigation and report at the earliest prac-
ticable moment.
August 27, 1902. — Executive secretary calls for report.
September 3, 1902. — Provincial governor reports that the cemetery was closed as a
health measure, as it was in an unhealthy location and condition, and because it was
necessary during the cholera epidemic to bury in a cemetery set aside for that special
purpose. The letters in this case are copied in full and attached hereto and marked
"Exhibit No. 23." (No. 10850-A1 to A4, inclusive.)
41. Silax, Cavite. — October 7, 1902. — Hartigan, Marple, Solignac, McCabe, and
Gutierrez submit to the civil governor communication from the parish priest of Silan
to the archbishop, complaining of the occupation of the convento by the constabu-
lary, and request that the constabulary be directed to return the convento to the
priest.
October 8, 1002. — Eeferred to the chief of Philippines constabulary for early investi-
gation and report. After several indorsements by constabulary officers, the papers
were, on
February 20, 1903, returned to the executive secretary with reports by constab-
ulary officers. The reports were to the effect that the constabulary had been occu-
pying the convento with the apparent good will of the priest, as he had never asked
220 REPORT OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION.
that it be vacated, but that, upon receipt of the intimation that he desired the build-
ing vacated, the constabulary moved out on November 7, 1902.
February 24, 1903. — Hartigan, Marple, Solignac, McCabe, and Gutierrez notified.
Copy of the record in this case is attached hereto and marked "Exhibit No. 24."
(No. 15442.)
42. Bacoor, Cavite.— December 17, 1902. — Civil governor telegraphs provincial gov-
ernor that the bishop of Cebu informs him that the parish priest heretofore in charge
of the church at Bacoor has left the Roman Catholic faith; that the bishop has ordered
him to turn over the church to another Roman Catholic priest; that the former priest
has left the church, and that the municipal authorities are in control of same. States
that he believes the property rightfully belongs to the Roman Catholic Church, and
requests the provincial governor to be governed accordingly in dealing with the
matter.
December 20, 1902. — Civil governor wires provincial governor that Aglipay has asked
to be allowed to submit testimony in the case, and directs that the status quo be
preserved until further orders.
December 29, 1902. — Hartigan, Marple, Solignac, McCabe, and Gutierrez transmit
to the civil governor certified copy of an affidavit made by the former parish priest,
declaring that it destroys his claim to the church, and ask that the order of Decem-
ber 20 be revoked.
January 7, 1903. — Acting executive secretary calls for full report from the munici-
pal president.
February 2, 1903. — Municipal president states that he never took possession of the
church, but simply stationed guards there to prevent disturbance, and that the same
condition of affairs still continues.
February 9, 1903. — Provincial governor directed to advise municipal president to
let the matter stand exactly as it is at present, as the right of possession will have
to be established in the courts. Copies of the letters in this case are attached hereto
and marked "Exhibit No. 25." (No. 18625-A1 to A3, inclusive.)
43. Ternate (near Mara gondon), Cavite. — February 13, 1903. — Hartigan, Marple,
Solignac, McCabe, and Gutierrez forward, in accordance with verbal instructions of
the civil governor, (1) certified copy of the records of the office of the justice of
the peace of Ternate, dated January 31 , 1903, which shows that the municipal presi-
dent required the justice of the peace to approve the delivery of the key to the church
to the president in order that the latter might deliver same to the representative of
Senor Aglipay when said representative should arrive in the pueblo; (2) copy of a
letter from the parish priest, dated January 31, to the municipal president, asking
to be reinstated in the possession of the church, and reply of the president refusing
to do so; and (3) copy of a telegram from the provincial secretary to the municipal
president that he should have respected the right of the priest to peaceable posses-
sion of the property.
February 13, 1903. — Civil governor suspends justice of the peace by telegram.
February 14, 1903. — Civil governor orders provincial governor to suspend the
municipal president until the latter returns the keys of the church to the Roman
Catholic priest, and states that thereafter the municipality may present its claim to
title in the courts.
February 15, 1903. — Provincial governor reports municipal president and justice
of the peace suspended.
February 20, 1903. — Acting executive secretary telegraphs civil governor at Cebu,
Cebu, stating that he and the solicitor-general went to Ternate on the 19th and inter-
viewed the suspended president and justice of the peace and several principales, and
that he is awaiting the return of the sacristan of the church to complete the testimony.
February 21, 1903. — Acting executive secretary, in a letter to T. L. Hartigan,
urgently requests that the sacristan be found if possible, as he wishes to settle the
matter promptly and before the return of the civil governor.
February 24, 1903. — Provincial governor submits report, with exhibits, and gives
a history of the town and the church.
February 28, 1903. — Acting executive secretary informs provincial board of the sus-
pension of the justice of the peace and the charge against him, and directs the board
to take action in accordance with act No. 314, which act prescribes the method of
procedure in such cases.
March 7, 1903. — Civil governor, in a letter to the solicitor-general, requests him to
notify the president and justice of the peace that if they will turn over the keys of
the church to the priest he will forgive them, but that otherwise he will have them
prosecuted to the full extent of the law.
March 10, 1903. — Provincial secretary wires that investigation against justice of the
peace will take place on March 13. Acting executive secretary wires provincial
REPORT OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION. 221
board that, unless there are difficulties preventing, the charges against the president
should also be heard on the 13th.
March 9, 1903. — Papers referred by the civil governor to the solicitor-general.
March — , 1903. — Provincial secretary forwards resolutions of the provincial board,
adopted March 13, 1903, and the recommendation of the board that the municipal
president and justice of the peace be removed from office.
March 18, 1903. — Solicitor-general directs the provincial fiscal to prosecute the ex-
municipal president and ex-justice of the peace in the court of first instance, and
gives detailed instructions for the conduct of the prosecution.
May 27, 1903. — Solicitor-general wires provincial fiscal to find out if the keys
have yet been delivered to the priest.
July 17, 1903. — Provincial fiscal reports that, on account of the promises of the
ex-officials that they would deliver to him the keys of the church, he had deferred
action, but that on June 13, the promise not having been carried out, he filed indict-
ment against them in the court of first instance; that on July 3, 1903, the two
accused appeared before the court, but that the parish priest, though summoned, did
not appear; that, by order of the court, the keys of the church were delivered to the
clerk of the court for the province, and v priest, Father Villafranca, notified that
he could obtain the keys from said cle-A of the court. Father Villafranca had not
called for the keys to date.
July 23, 1903.— Solicitor-general returns papers to the civil governor, with state-
ment of action taken by the office of the attorney-general, as indicated above. Copy
of the record of this case is attached hereto and marked "Exhibit No. 26." (No.
21362-A1 to A18, inclusive. )
44. Balanga, Bataan. — July 25, 1901. — Provincial governor forwards request of
Catholic priest that the convento now occupied by American troops be turned over
to him for his use.
August 1, 1901. — Eeferred to the major-general commanding Division of the
Philippines, the civil governor expressing the hope that the request would be com-
plied with if possible. (No 926 to Al. )
45. Dinalupijan, Bataan. — August 4, 1902. — Justice of the peace asks how parish
priest may be compelled to furnish original certificates of marriage, the priest
refusing to furnish same, stating that church and state are now separate. Informed
that the priest may not be compelled to do so. (No. 12740.)
46. Laoag, Ilocos Norte. — October 4, 1901. — Provincial governor forwards docu-
ments in the matter of the proposal made by one of the members of the municipal
council, that the cemetery claimed by and now in possession of the municipality be
turned over to the church.
October 17, 1901. — Civil governor replies that the municipal council has no power
to cede propertv of the municipality. Copy of the record of this case is attached
hereto and marked " Exhibit No. 27." (No. 3802. )
47. Santa Maria, Ilocos Sur. — August 12, 1901. — Municipal president forwards
copy of resolutions of the municipal council in which it was resolved, among other
things, that the friars should be expelled from the islands. With regard to this and
similar petitions, see letters of the civil governor and acting civil governor to
provincial governors. (No. 4359.)
48. Vigan, Ilocos Sur. — January 15, 1903. — Hartigan, Marple, Solignac, McCabe,
and Gutierrez state that the municipal authorities have forbidden the authorities of
the Catholic Church at Vigan to open a cemetery without first paying a tax or
license for the privilege of doing so, and protest against such an interpretation of the
municipal code as would declare such a tax legal. After reference to the secretary
of finance and justice, to the attorney-general, and to the solicitor-general, on
June 1, 1903, the acting secretary of finance and justice rendered an opinion, which
was concurred in by the secretary of the interior, and the civil governor, that such
privilege rental or tax was illegal. This is the opinion referred to in case No. 16.
Copy thereof is attached hereto and marked "Exhibit No. 28." (No. 21220.)
49. Gapan, Nueva Ecua. — February 15, 1902.— Bishop Martin complains that the
municipal council of Gapan has created a tax to be collected from the church on
the biers used for the funerals of persons too poor to have their own coffins. States
that the church collects nothing for the use of biers from very poor people and can
not afford to pay the tax.
_ February 18, 1902. — Referred to the provincial governor with the statement by the
civil governor that if the allegations are true the municipal council has exceeded its
authority and should rescind the ordinance.
May 8, 1902. — Papers returned with the statement that the ordinance had been
passed in accordance with the Spanish text of the municipal code, in which there is
found a mistake in the translation, and that the ordinance has been repealed. (No.
7086.)
222 REPORT OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION.
50. Penaranda, Nueva Ecija. — February 18, 1902. —Thomas L. Hartigan submits
telegram from parish priest of Penaranda stating that the municipal authorities say-
he shall cease to administer the church cemetery, which the priest states has been
church property for fifteen years and still is. Attorney requests action.
February 19, 1902. — Referred to the provincial governor with request for investiga-
tion, the civil governor stating that if the allegations are correct the municipal authori-
ties have exceeded their powers and should be so informed. Calls for report.
June 6, 1902. — Provincial governor returns papers with report that the cemetery,
and all the funds collected thereon while administered by the municipality, have
been returned to the church. (No. 7130. )
51. Zaragoza, Nueva Ecija. — May 21, 1903. — There was submitted to the civil
governor a letter from the parish priest of Zaragoza complaining that the municipal
president refused to restrain an intruding priest from using the church in that
pueblo.
May 23, 1903. — Referred to the provincial governor for investigation, report, and
recommendation.
June 4, 1903. — Provincial governor reports that, as there was no breach of the peace
involved in the contention of the two priests, he could not intervene officially in
the matter. Copy of the provincial governor's report is attached hereto and marked
" Exhibit No. 29." (No. 26088. )
52. Tuguegarao, Cagayan. — October 28, 1901. — Provincial supervisor, in a letter to
the civil governor, states that the sentiment of the people of the province is strongly
against turning over to the friars the property claimed by them. (No. 5351. )
53. Tuguegarao, Cagayan. — November 24, 1901. — Dionisio Cosas, abbot of the
Dominican Friars of Tuguegarao, requests that the large building now occupied by
the military be returned" to the use of the order for school purposes.
March 29, 1902. — After reference to the military authorities and a number of
indorsements by them, the papers were returned to the acting civil governor Avith
the information that the buildings would be turned over to the religious order as
soon as those in course of construction for the use of the military should be completed,
which would be within a few weeks.
April 5, 1902. — Papers returned to the abbot of the Dominican order at Tuguega-
rao with the information that the civil governor has no jurisdiction in the matter,
and that future communications with regard thereto should be directed to the
military authorities.
January 14, 1902. — An attorney representing the Dominican order, with reference
to the same property, requests that the said property be vacated by the military,
and that rent, compensation for repairs, etc. , be paid for the time it was occupied by
the military. These papers went through the same course as the ones just above
referred to and were returned to the acting civil governor at the same time.
May 28, 1902. — Executive secretary forwards to the provincial treasurer of Cagayan
an excerpt from the minutes of the Commission of May 20, 1903, with regard to the
suspension of taxes on property of the Dominican Friars during the time same was
occupied by the military and requests statement from provincial treasurer of Cagayan
with a view to determining if such a resolution should be passed with regard to the
property at Tuguegarao. (No. 5507-A1 to A4, inclusive.)
54. Tuguegarao, Cagayan. — May 18, 1902. — Parish priest complains of certain
arbitrary quarantine and sanitary regulations of the provincial board of health
affecting the church and of the brutal enforcement of the same by the municipal
police.
June 23, 1902. — Referred to the commissioner of public health with directions to
ascertain the facts.
June 24, 1902. — Returned to the executive secretary with the statement that the
quarantine has been raised.
June 23, 1902. — Acting civil governor wires provincial governor for information in
regard to the matter.
June 24, 1902. — Parish priest wires withdrawal of complaint.
August 2, 1902. — Acting provincial governor reports that the three municipal
policemen have been punished for their misconduct in the enforcement of the health
ordinance. Copy of this report is attached hereto and marked "Exhibit No. 30."
(No. 10346-A1 to A4, inclusive.)
55. Tuguegarao, Cagayan. — February 23, 1903. — Parish priest states that law for-
bidding burials in the Catholic cemetery is still in force, even though death may not
have been due to a contagious disease, and asks that it be repealed.
March 26, 1903. — Referred to the provincial board of Cagayan for investigation and
proper action. (No. 22998.)
56. Tuguegarao, Cagayan. — February 25, 1903. — Parish priest states that he needs
EEPOET OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION. 223
for parish purposes certain buildings now occupied by the volunteer soldiers and by-
telegraph and municipal officials, and asks that they be vacated.
March 18, 1903. — Acting executive secretary asks that the names of the particular
buildings desired be furnished. (No. 22997.)
57. Cagayan de Misamis, Mindanao. — August 5, 1901. — Jesuit missionaries in
the district complain that the presidents of many pueblos are collecting burial fees
which rightfully belong to the church.
August 9, 1901. — Civil governor sends to the provincial governor of Misamis a copy
of his letter to Capt. Wallis O. Clark, governor of the province of Tarlac, on this
question, for the information both of the provincial and municipal government offi-
cials and of the Jesuit priests complaining. This is the letter referred to in case No.
25, marked "Exhibit No. 13." (No. 1135 to Al. )
58. Jimenez, Cagayan de Misamis, Mindanao. — November 12, 1901. — Provincial
governor transmits petition, signed by leading officers and residents of the pueblo,
against the continued residence therein of two friars recently settled there. Informed
by the civil governer that the friars have the same rights in the matter of traveling
or living where they choose as any other persons, and that they must be protected
in those rights. Copv of this letter is attached hereto and marked "Exhibit No.
31." (No. 5237 to Ai.)
59. Cagayan de Misamis, Mindanao. — June 11, 1902. — Provincial governor trans-
mits, for the consideration of the Commission, the resolutions adopted by the assembly
of municipal presidents at their meeting of October 21, 1901, in which it was
resolved, among other things, that the religious corporations should be expelled
from the province. (No. 4394 to Al. )
60. Aeayat, Pampanga. — May 8, 1902. — President of the provincial board of health
wires civil governor asking if municipality has authority to close cemetery against
the wishes of local priest. States cemetery at Arayat is full, but priest insists that
burials should still take place there.
May 8, 1902. — Civil governor wires that the municipality has such right, if the
cemeterv is a menace to the public health. Copy of the record in this case is attached
hereto and marked " Exhibit No. 32." (No. 9199. )
61. San Luis, Pampanga. — June 17, 1901. — Provincial governor, in a letter to the
parish priest of San Luis, acknowledges receipt of a communication from the latter,
dated June 16, relative to an order which the municipal president of San Luis alleged
was issued by the provincial governor relative to the Catholic cemetery at San Luis,
and states that he knows nothing about such an order. The records do not show
definitely what this order was.
July 13, 1901. — Parish priest requests municipal council to rescind a resolution
recently passed by it to the effect that the municipality should take possession of the
Catholic cemetery. Petition was refused on same date.
August 9, 1901.— Civil governor, in a letter to the provincial governor of Pampanga,
states that he is in receipt of a complaint from the parish priest of San Luis against
the seizure by the municipality of the Catholic cemetery. Sends the provincial gov-
ernor a copy of his letter to Capt. AVallis O. Clark, governor of Tarlac, and suggests
that he send copies to all municipal presidents in his province. (No. 1132-A1 to
A4, inclusive.)
62. San Luis, Pampanga. — November 12, 1901. — Parish priest writes to the bishop
of Cebu, administrator of the archdiocese of Manila, that he has presented for assess-
ment the property of the church in the pueblo, and that the municipal council
resolved to take possession of the church property, and refused to allow same to be
assessed as the property of the church.
November 20, 1901. — Acting civil governor addresses the provincial governor about
this and kindred matters. A copy of this communication is attached hereto and
marked "Exhibit No. 33." (No. 4932 -Al.)
63. San Luis, Pampanga. — September 23, 1902. — Pablo Leuterio, "representing the
citizens of the town of San Luis," forwards to the civil governor copy of a petition,
dated May 12, 1902, asking the municipal council to set aside its ordinance for the
closing of the Catholic cemetery, and requests that the civil governor intervene in
the matter.
_ October 13, 1902. — Civil governor returns petition, calling the attention of the peti-
tioner to the recent passage of a law providing a method of procedure in such cases.
Copy of this letter and of part of the law referred to are attached hereto and marked
"Exhibit No. 34." (No. 15008.)
64. Bacolor, Pampanga. — March 12, 1902. — The provincial vicar of the province
of Pampanga forwards to the bishop of Cebu, administrator of the archdiocese of
Manila, copy of an order of the provincial board of health of Pampanga prescribing
the hours during which church ceremonies may be carried on, stating that in his
opinion the order is unjust, and asking for advice.
224: EEPOET OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION.
April 15, 1902. — Referred by Hartigan, Marple, and Solignac to the civil governor.
April 22, 1902. — Referred to the commissioner of public health. No action taken
by him. (No. 8779.)
65. Lubao, Pampanga. — May 23, 1902 — Provincial governor forwards, with his
favorable comment, a copy of the expression of the municipal council that the pres-
ence of a friar recently arrived in the town was dangerous to the tranquility of the
same, and asking that he be removed.
May SO, 1902. — Acting civil governor states that he will present the matter to the
church authorities with a view to having the friar withdrawn, but that in the mean-
time he must be protected from insult or violence. Requests report as to conditions.
June 20, 1902. — Executive secretary, in a letter to the provincial governor, requests
that the information asked for in the letter of the acting civil governor of May 30 be
furnished without delay.
June 25, 1902. — Provincial governor reports that the friars are still in the pueblo
of Lubao, and renews his recommendation that steps be taken for their removal.
Copv of the acting civil governor's letter of May 30 is attached hereto and marked
"Exhibit No. 35." (No. 9619.)
66. Mexico, Pampanga. — June 1, 1902. — Parish priest forwards copy of ordinance
by the municipal council forbidding the ringing of bells between the hours of 6 p. m.
and 5 a. m. on ordinary days, and protests that it is an abuse of power.
July 14, 1902. — Acting civil governor, in a letter to the provincial governor, calls
attention to previous instructions and states that noninterference in church affairs
must be insisted on and should be impressed upon municipal councils in his province.
August 4, 1902. — Provincial governor returns papers, stating that, after thorough
and painstaking investigation, he believes the municipal council was justified in its
action, as the almost continuous ringing of the bells became a nuisance.
December 10, 1902. — Parish priest, in a letter to the apostolic delegate, requests that
the civil governor be asked to intervene and remove the prohibition against the ring-
ing of the bells at 4 o'clock in the morning for the period just before Christmas.
December 24, 1902. — Civil governor returns papers to the apostolic delegate, with the
statement that, in view of the circumstances attending the case, the matter must be
left to the discretion of the municipal authorities. Copy of part of the record of this
case is attached hereto and marked "Exhibit No. 36." (No. 11258.)
67. Angeles, Pampanga. — August 1, 1902. — Parish priest requests of the civil gov-
ernor that the parish house in the town be turned over to him, as he is now living
in a private house and paying rent.
August 5, 1902. — Referred to the provincial governor for report as to who is now in
possession of the house and what use is being made of it. The records show nothing
further, as the case was handled verbally. The priest is now and has been since Octo-
ber 1, 1902, in possession of the house. (No. 12054.)
68. Sexmoan, Pampanga. — August 10, 1902. — Provincial governor transmits peti-
tion, signed by many inhabitants of the town, asking that the friar recently appointed
parish priest be removed.
September 2, 1902. — Referred to Thomas L. Hartigan.
August 28, 1902. — Severo Zorras and 50 others state that municipal president and
two other persons, accompanied by five policemen, forced the people of the town to
sign the petition above mentioned.
September 13, 1902. — Referred to the provincial governor, with request that he make
a personal investigation and not trust same to the municipal officials.
October 10, 1902. — Provincial governor transmits testimony in the case and his
report, showing that the persons who signed the petition against the retention of the
Mar did so of their own free will.
September 26, 1902.-^ Antonio Dagal and 11 others, " leading residents of Sexmoan,"
confirm the statements in the petition of August 28 that persons had been compelled
to sign the petition against the friars, state that the investigation by the provincial
governor was not a fair one, and ask the civil governor to investigate the matter in
person; also complain of illegal fines and undue interference in church affairs.
(No. 13571— Al to A3, inclusive.)
69. Guagua, Pampanga. — February 2, 1903.— Parish priest, in a letter to the apos-
tolic delegate, complains that the municipal authorities have taken part in the invit-
ing of Seiior Aglipay to the community to say mass, baptize, preach, etc. , and begs
the intervention of the central government; also incloses copies of notices posted in
public places, which he says are an insult to him.
February 9, 1903. — Civil governor, in a letter to the apostolic delegate, sets forth
the position of the church in this and similar matters. Copy of the record in this
case is attached hereto and marked " Exhibit No. 37," (No. 20913.)
70. Guagua, Pampanga. — The municipal council passed a resolution, ordering that
REPORT OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION. 225
the Catholic cemetery recently established should be closed. No particular reason
for this action is assigned in the resolution.
Jvly 7, 190S. — The provincial board declares null and void the resolution of the
municipal council, and orders the members of the latter body to allow the exercise
of the rights of burial in the new cemetery, for the reason that the cemetery is not
a menace to public health.
July 14, 1903. — The municipal president and council appeal to the civil governor,
asking him to set aside the order of the provincial board; state that the location of
the cemetery is healthful, but that it is in the inhabited portion of the town and is
overflowed during the rainy season; cite orders from the provincial government
ordering the establishment of municipal cemeteries, forbidding the interment of the
dead within the centers of population, and other details; claim that the resolution
of the municipal council was simply in compliance with these orders, and that the
last order of the provincial board is in contradiction of same.
August S, 1903. — Executive secretary notifies the municipal president that there is
no appeal in this case from the provincial board, and that the decision of the latter
stands. (No. 29160.)
71. Calasiao, Pangasinan. — July 12, 1901. — Captain of the Seventeenth Infantry
reports particulars of the insulting of two Dominican friars on June 28, 1901, stating
that the demonstration consisted of the taunts and jeers of a dozen or so native men,
women, and children, and that no personal violence was offered; states that the
reason he did not report it before was that he considered it unimportaut. After
passing through the hands of several army officers the papers were, on July 24, 1901,
referred to the civil governor for his information. The letter of the civil governor
to the provincial governor of Tarlac was sent to the governor of Pangasinan and to
the municipal president, and they were told that the instructions contained therein
were intended to cover this and similar cases. This is the letter referred to in case
No. 25, marked "Exhibit No. 13." (No. 736.)
72. Dagupan axd Lingayen, Pangasinan. — April 11, 1902. — The Dominicans of
the Most Holy Eosary of the Philippines, through their attorney, protest against
the collection of taxes on property of the order at the places mentioned above
while said property is occupied by the military without payment of rent.
April 19, 1902. — "Referred to the Commission.
April 24, 1902. — The Commission passed a resolution to the effect that the provin-
cial treasurer be instructed to suspend the collection of taxes on the property so long
as same should be occupied by the military without payment of rent, and that a
copy of the resolution be furnished to the parties interested. The resolution referred
to in case No. 53, the application of which to that case was contemplated, was sim-
ilar to this. (No. 8490.)
73. Lingayen, Pangasinan. — July 3, 1902. — The vicar of the province of Panga-
sinan protests against an order of the municipal president closing the church as a
health measure, while other buildings in the pueblo remained open to the public.
July 10, 1902. — Referred to the commissioner of public health, with directions
that the local board of health be properly informed in the matter, in order that they
might rescind or modify the order so as to permit church services.
August 2, 1902. — Papers returned with statement that orders have been given to
allow churches to be opened. (No. 11129.)
74. Binmaley, Pangasinan. — July 22, 1902. — Parish priest requests that quaran-
tine be raised, and protests against the closing of the church.
July 29, 1902. — Referred to the commissioner of public health for proper action.
July 30, 1902. — Papers returned with the information that the quarantine has been
discontinued. (No. 11650.)
75. Maao, Occidental Negros. — March 19, 1902. — Municipal council petitions
against allowing friars to return to their former parishes, and' states that if they are
allowed to return the petitioners will have to secede from the Roman Catholic
Church. For action in this and similar cases, see note at the end of case No. 84.
(No. 8869.)
76. Silay, Occidental Negros. — July 10, 1902. — Provincial governor informs civil
governor of the manifestation which took place in the pueblo of Silay, caused by the
presence of two friars. Incloses copy of a proclamation, issued by him in the prem-
ises, for the information of the civil governor. Copy of this proclamation is attached
hereto and marked "Exhibit No. 36." (No. 11573.)
77. Bago, Occidental Negros. — October 23, 1901. — Residents petition for the
restoration of the cemetery to the Catholic Church, stating that from time immemorial
it had belonged to and been administered by the church until the last three years
under the provisional government.
November 13, 1901. — Referred to the provincial fiscal of Occidental Negros for
WAR 1903 — TOL 5 15
226 EEPOET OF THE PHILIPPINE COMMISSION.
investigation and r